Mental Health Implementation Research and Evaluation


FPD’s Mental Health (MH) Implementation Research & Evaluation portfolio focuses on designing, testing, and scaling evidence-based, youth-friendly, and community-based models of MH care in South Africa. Our multidisciplinary projects address the unmet MH needs of adolescents and young people (AYP), people living with HIV (PLHIV), and vulnerable communities. We prioritize MH-HIV integration, primary care strengthening, and community-based delivery platforms, and scalable solutions that promote MH equity. Our work spans the Eastern Cape Province, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni Districts and leverages partnerships with government, academic, and community organizations to inform policy and practice at provincial and national levels.





Current projects



Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mental Health Service Delivery within the DREAMS Programme

Start Date : June 2024  End Date : September 2025

Site : OR Tambo Health District

Donor: IMHSI-CDC-PEPFAR

This project evaluates the integration of MH services within the DREAMS programme in OR Tambo District. The DREAMS initiative targets adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) at high risk for HIV and gender-based violence. The evaluation will assess:

  • the effectiveness of MH interventions delivered through DREAMS platforms,
  • improvements in MH outcomes (depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms),
  • barriers/facilitators to scaling integrated MH services within DREAMS.

Findings will inform national guidance on integrated HIV and MH programming for AGYW in South Africa.



Exploring Preferences for the Delivery of Mental Health Services in Primary Health Care Facilities Among AYP at Risk for HIV

Start Date : May 2024  End Date : December 2025

Site : Buffalo City Metro Health District (Dimbaza CHC, Empilweni CHC, Notyantyambo CHC)

Donor: University of Pennsylvania, FPD, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation

This implementation research study investigates AYP preferences for how MH services should be delivered in primary health care (PHC) settings. It uses mixed methods to explore:

  • burden of common MH conditions among AYP
  • preferred service delivery models (clinic-based, peer-led, community-based),
  • preferences around screening, counseling modalities, and provider characteristics,
  • perceived barriers to MH service uptake in PHC.
The study aims to co-design youth-friendly MH integration models that can enhance MH and HIV outcomes for AYP at risk for HIV in Eastern Cape.



Implementation Research on Integrating Registered Counselors into Primary Health Care Facilities to Improve MH, Adherence, and Viral Suppression in PLHIV

Start Date : September 2024  End Date : September 2025

Site : Tshwane Health District: Boikhutsong CHC, Laudium CHC, KT Motobatsi CHC, Folang Clinic, Skinner Clinic Ekurhuleni Health District: Daveyton Main CHC, Ramokonopi CHC, Jabulani Dumane CHC

Donor: IMHSI-CDC-PEPFAR

This hybrid implementation-effectiveness study evaluates the integration of registered counselors (RCs) into PHC teams to improve:

  • screening, diagnosis, and management of common MH disorders among PLHIV,
  • adherence to ART,
  • viral suppression rates.
The study assesses feasibility, acceptability, impact on clinical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of RC integration. Findings will inform national MH-HIV integration scale-up efforts within PHC.



Validation of Brief Screening Tool (mwTool-A) for Adolescent Mental Disorders

Start Date : June 2025 End Date : September 2025

Site : Buffalo City Metro Health District (Dimbaza CHC, Empilweni CHC, Notyantyambo CHC)

Donor: IMHSI-CDC-PEPFAR

This study validates the mwTool-A, a brief, scalable screening tool designed for the early detection of depression, anxiety, and other common MH disorders among adolescents in PHC settings. The project will:

  • assess the psychometric properties (sensitivity, specificity, predictive value) of the mwTool-A,
  • compare it to gold-standard MH diagnostic tools,
  • explore implementation strategies for integrating screening into routine PHC services.
Findings will support the adoption of standardized, adolescent-friendly MH screening tools at scale.



BeYOUtiful Mindz: Scaling-Up and Sustaining Youth-Friendly, Evidence-Based MH Interventions in Community-Based Settings

Start Date : July 2025  End Date : June 2026

Site : Buffalo City Metro Health District; OR Tambo Health District

Donor: INSPIRE Center, PATC³H-IN

Led in partnership with the BeYOUtiful Mindz Youth Health Collective (a youth-led advisory board), this project focuses on scaling and sustaining community-based MH interventions co-designed with youth. The project pilots:

  • church-based interpersonal counseling (IPC) interventions,
  • peer-led support models, other youth-centered MH services in trusted community settings.
The project also builds youth research and leadership capacity, with youth co-leading design, delivery, and evaluation activities. Outcomes will inform sustainable, youth-driven MH models adaptable to diverse South African settings.