ReviewBJPsych open2026
Youth peer-based mental health programmes and supports in low- and middle-income countries: rapid review.
Review in BJPsych open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundYouth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a disproportionate burden of mental health conditions, alongside low health-seeking behaviours and limited access to services. These gaps underscore the need for accessible strategies such as youth peer-based mental health programmes and supports (Y-PBMHPS).
aimsTo examine whether Y-PBMHPS can help address the mental health needs of LMIC youth.
methodWe conducted a rapid review of peer-reviewed literature, searching Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, CAB Global Health, Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index for studies of Y-PBMHPS in LMICs published in English between 1 January 2002 and 19 September 2025. Two review authors performed title/abstract screening and full-text review. Study quality was assessed by one review author using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. The primary outcome was change in mental health status, expressed in standardised difference units.
resultsOf 6105 unique records identified, 329 studies were reviewed in full and 34 were included. All studies were conducted in Asia or Africa; 17 were quantitative studies (including randomised controlled trials), 9 were qualitative studies and 8 used quantitative designs with qualitative findings. Y-PBMHPS included counselling, psychotherapy, psychoeducation and self-help groups, with peers acting as leaders, facilitators, educators or service providers. Quantitative studies most frequently assessed anxiety and depression, reporting negligible to moderate effects. Qualitative findings indicated good fidelity, adherence and acceptability, alongside some feasibility challenges.
conclusionsY-PBMHPS can broaden youth mental health support and services in LMICs. Clearer guidelines on peer selection, training and supervision and further research in other LMICs, including cost-effectiveness evaluations, would strengthen the evidence base.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.