Mindsome vs Step by Step

Mindsome is a new online concept especially catered for the MENA region. It aims to offer professional counseling and therapy to anyone, anywhere and at any time. Simply, we have broken down the walls of an office to a create a safe environment that spreads far beyond time and space.

Step-by-Step is a self-help digital intervention that helps people cope better with low mood and stress. It has been developed by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the National Mental Health Programme at the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon, the app offers an accessible, guided experience to help users improve their emotional wellbeing. Step-by-Step is a 5-week self-help electronic intervention delivered through a smartphone application or website, with minimal remote motivation and guidance (around 15 minutes per week) provided by trained non-specialists called “e-helpers”, their role is solely to motivate users to engage with the self help material. Step-by-Step is based on techniques that have been shown to be effective in research studies such as behavioral activation, psychoeducation, stress management techniques, positive self-talk, social support, and relapse prevention delivered through a narrated story of an illustrated character who has experienced depression and subsequently recovered. Each session comprises of a story part where users read or listen to the story of the illustrated character and an interactive part with an illustrated doctor character who provides tips and techniques to manage the symptoms. Users are then encouraged to plan, schedule, practice and record their activities between the sessions to benefit the most out of the programme. Following several years of development, testing and evaluation, Step-by-Step is now implemented as a free service provided in Lebanon, since 2021, managed by the National Mental Health Programme and hosted by Embrace. Disclaimer: This application is not intended to be a replacement for treatment nor any sort of medical intervention. This programme is translated and adapted, with permission, from the "Step-by Step" programme which is ° 2018 the World Health Organization. Funding: For Lebanon this programme has received funding from Fondation d'Harcourt and the World Bank.