The MindSKILLZ sport-based mental health promotion intervention for adolescents in Kenya: a mixed methods pilot study.

Surveys from 251 participants showed positive trends across all quantitative mental health measures from pre- to post-intervention, though results were not statistically significant.

• An interrupted time series (ITS) design was used with surveys administered four times: twice before and twice after the intervention.
• Data were analyzed using segmented fixed effects regression.
• Mental wellbeing, depression symptoms, mental health stigma, support seeking, emotional symptoms, and conduct problems all improved from Time 2 (pre-intervention) to Time 3 (immediately post-intervention).
• Improvements mostly grew stronger at Time 4 (follow-up), suggesting sustained effects beyond immediate post-intervention.

Adolescent participants described enhanced coping skills and improved stress and anger management as a result of MindSKILLZ participation.

• Qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews conducted post-intervention.
• A thematic qualitative analysis approach was used.
• Participants included adolescent participants, Coaches, and key County Department of Health and implementing stakeholders.
• Enhanced coping skills and improved stress and anger management were identified as key qualitative outcomes for adolescents.

Coaches (near-peer mentors) who delivered the intervention reported increased mental health knowledge, coping skills, patience, cooperation, and self-esteem.

• MindSKILLZ is delivered by trained near-peer mentors referred to as Coaches.
• Effects on Coaches' mental health was an explicit aim of the pilot study.
• Qualitative data from Coaches were gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews post-intervention.
• Coaches reported benefits across cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal domains including knowledge, coping, patience, cooperation, and self-esteem.

MindSKILLZ was found to be highly acceptable, with key stakeholders highlighting its potential for sustainability and scale due to low resource demands.

• Acceptability and potential sustainability and scalability were explicit aims of the pilot study.
• Key stakeholders included County Department of Health representatives and implementing stakeholders.
• Stakeholders 'mostly' highlighted potential for sustainability and scale.
• Low resource demands were identified as a facilitating factor for sustainability and scalability.
• The intervention can potentially be universally delivered by lay providers, addressing a critical mental health service gap.

The study was conducted as a pragmatic pilot in Nairobi and Mombasa counties of Kenya, targeting adolescents aged 10-14.

• MindSKILLZ is a sport-based mental health promotion and prevention intervention.
• The intervention is delivered by trained near-peer mentors (Coaches).
• The target population was adolescents aged 10-14.
• The pilot used a mixed methods design combining interrupted time series quantitative analysis with qualitative focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
• Young people in Eastern and Southern Africa were identified as facing critical mental health challenges with little or no access to mental health care.