A new mental health initiative in the Maldives: A preliminary study of Group Therapy in Male'.

This article examines the feasibility of Group Therapy as a therapeutic intervention for patients diagnosed with depression in the Maldives, specifically in the capital city, Male. Implemented by the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) following a surge in mental health cases post-COVID-19 lockdown, the adapted Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) manual was translated and contextualized for a non-English-speaking population. Over five cohorts involving 119 predominantly female participants, the intervention showed acceptance, improved social connectedness, and subjective mood improvements, despite minimal changes in standardized depression and anxiety scores. The study highlights the potential of Group Therapy to address resource limitations in small communities, while noting ongoing challenges such as participant motivation and the need for further research to validate outcomes.