Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE)

The Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) program was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) specifically for young adolescents aged 10 to 14 who live in communities exposed to adversity and their caregivers. The program aims to address internalizing problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression. It consists of seven group sessions for adolescents, focusing on psychoeducation, stress management, problem-solving, behavioral activation, and relapse prevention. Additionally, there are three group sessions for caregivers to enhance their ability to support their children effectively. The EASE program is designed to be delivered by non-professional facilitators, leveraging the concept of task sharing to extend mental health support in resource-scarce settings. The involvement of community members as facilitators helps to foster a supportive environment and enhance the relevance and acceptability of the program.

After being implemented in Jordan, Lebanon, and Pakistan, EASE has also been introduced with emergency approval following the start of the war in Ukraine in Switzerland. This implementation is being carried out in collaboration with the University Hospital of Zürich, Spirit Network, and Swiss Red Cross at KJPP Zurich. This marks its first implementation to date in a high-income setting, specifically adapted for Ukrainian adolescent refugees and their caregivers. The implementation of EASE in high-income settings, such as Zurich, demonstrates the program's adaptability and the effectiveness of task sharing across diverse contexts.

Implementation data is being collected to monitor and evaluate the program's deployment and effectiveness. The ongoing data collection helps in understanding the unique challenges and requirements of implementing the program in a high-income setting. It allows for continuous improvement and customization to ensure the best possible outcomes for Ukrainian adolescent refugees and their caregivers.

Members

Prof. Dr. Susanne Walitza, MD, MSc – Director of clinical implementation and co-researcher (KJPP Zürich). As an IACAPAP WHO delegate, S. Walitza is pleased to disseminate WHO programs in the field of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy.

• Dr. Naser Morina, PhD – Lead researcher (University Hospital of Zürich)
• Christina Gunsch, lic. phil – Clinical implementation lead (KJPP Zürich)
• Melani Walser, MSc - Clinical implementation co-lead (KJPP Zürich)
• Kim Berg, MD MPH – Senior clinical implementer and researcher (KJPP Zürich)
• Dominique Baumann, MSc – Junior clinical implementer (KJPP Zürich)
• Nora Keller – medical doctoral student (University Hospital of Zürich)