The SPiRiT-D Project: Transforming Mental Health Support in Pakistan

In settings where mental health specialists are scarce, how can we ensure patients get the care they need?

For our first episode in our May mental health mini-series, we’re joined by Dr Mehreen Faisal and Karen Coales to discuss the SPiRiT-D project. This innovative hybrid trial is bridging the mental health treatment gap in Pakistan by testing a collaborative care model to deliver evidence-based talking therapy with non-mental health professionals.

Listen as we chat about how to reach underserved communities, and how the team has culturally adapted their support to ensure it resonates with local patients. Stick around for our random research questions to find out why a little 'Chaos and Patience' is all you need to change the world of mental health!

Find out more about SPiRiT-D: https://www.impactsouthasia.com/  

Read the Protocol Paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-026-09453-5 

Music by Matthew Bailey