Problem Management Plus (PM+): individual psychological help for adults impaired by distress in communities exposed to adversity
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World Health Organization
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136 p.
Problem Management Plus (PM+) is a WHO low-intensity psychological intervention manual designed to support adults experiencing distress in communities exposed to adversity, including humanitarian crises, chronic poverty and displacement. Intended for trained non-specialist and specialist helpers working under supervision, the manual provides practical guidance for delivering an individual intervention consisting of five weekly sessions following structured assessment. Drawing on simplified cognitive behavioural strategies, PM+ aims to help people manage emotional distress and practical difficulties without requiring formal diagnosis of mental disorders, while complementing other available mental health and psychosocial supports. The manual describes the rationale, structure and implementation of the intervention, including guidance on basic helping skills, client assessment, stress management, problem management, behavioural activation, strengthening social support, and maintaining gains after treatment. It also outlines requirements for helper training, supervision, cultural adaptation and safe implementation in diverse settings, together with assessment tools, client handouts and intervention protocols. The publication emphasizes scalable, evidence-informed psychological support that can be adapted to local contexts to improve mental health and psychosocial well-being among adults affected by adversity.
Problem Management Plus (PM+) is a WHO low-intensity psychological intervention manual designed to support adults experiencing distress in communities exposed to adversity, including humanitarian crises, chronic poverty and displacement. Intended for trained non-specialist and specialist helpers working under supervision, the manual provides practical guidance for delivering an individual intervention consisting of five weekly sessions following structured assessment. Drawing on simplified cognitive behavioural strategies, PM+ aims to help people manage emotional distress and practical difficulties without requiring formal diagnosis of mental disorders, while complementing other available mental health and psychosocial supports. The manual describes the rationale, structure and implementation of the intervention, including guidance on basic helping skills, client assessment, stress management, problem management, behavioural activation, strengthening social support, and maintaining gains after treatment. It also outlines requirements for helper training, supervision, cultural adaptation and safe implementation in diverse settings, together with assessment tools, client handouts and intervention protocols. The publication emphasizes scalable, evidence-informed psychological support that can be adapted to local contexts to improve mental health and psychosocial well-being among adults affected by adversity.