A large proportion of applicants for asylum in the UK are housed in contingency hotels while awaiting the outcome of their claim. As the prevalence of severe mental illness (SMI) among asylum seekers is estimated to be around 61%, a measurable impact on mental health services local to these hotels might be expected.

To evaluate the proportion of asylum seekers on the caseload of a crisis mental health team serving an area with a high concentration of contingency hotels, and to briefly explore the care needs of this population.

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of all referrals to the Hounslow Crisis Assessment and Home Treatment Team (HCAHTT) in London, UK, between 1 April and 30 September 2023.

Of the 718 referrals to HCAHTT, 536 were taken on the caseload, of whom 9 were asylum seekers. No difference was found in the proportion of asylum seekers on the caseload compared with the general population. Asylum seekers were often moved at short notice, over half required an interpreter and all 9 had a history of trauma.

Asylum seekers housed in Hounslow are not over-represented on the HCAHTT caseload compared with the general population. Given that higher rates of SMI in the asylum seeker population are well-established, this result is more likely to be due to systemic factors than to represent an unusually low rate of asylum seekers experiencing SMI. Asylum seekers tended to require interpretation services and have high rates of reported trauma. Continuity of care is affected by the asylum accommodation process. Better active outreach to vulnerable populations to raise awareness of services might be required.

In recent decades inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mainstream settings has gained momentum all over the world. However, teachers’ attitudes to this have an impact on the success of implementing inclusive practices, while their efficacy beliefs are a crucial factor for promoting educational reform.

To explore the psychometric properties of the Opinions Relative to Inclusion of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ORI-ASD) and the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale – Autism Spectrum Disorder (TSES-ASD).

A total of 853 educators (155 preschool teachers, 388 primary school teachers and 310 university students) reported sociodemographic characteristics and completed the ORI-ASD and TSES-ASD, which were Greek-language adapted versions of the Opinions Relative to Integration of Students with Disabilities scale and the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were conducted.

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed for the two scales. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the three-factor structure of the ORI-ASD and one-factor structure of the TSES-ASD for both pre-service and in service teachers, which show satisfactory psychometric properties. Moreover, the results showed that educators hold moderate self-efficacy beliefs.

The translated and adapted ORI-ASD and TSES-ASD showed good psychometric properties in a Greek sample of teachers and university students. The current study indicates that the ASD-adapted versions of the ORI and TSES are reliable and valid scales for rating pre-service and in-service teachers’ opinions related to perceived self-efficacy and the inclusion of students with ASD. Our findings could have important implications for policy and practice relating to inclusive education.

Depression and anxiety are widespread globally, with significant treatment gaps in low-resource settings. In Pakistan, where prevalence is high and specialists are scarce, brief psychological interventions by trained lay counsellors show promise. DIALOG+ is a novel technology-assisted, solution-focused approach for leveraging resource-oriented approaches in routine community mental health treatment.

To explore the feasibility and acceptability of using DIALOG+ for community-based treatment of common mental disorders delivered by non-specialist lay counsellors in a low-resource setting (trial registration: ISRCTN14528579).

An open, uncontrolled trial in community settings in Karachi, Pakistan, was conducted with 40 patients with depression and anxiety visiting two primary care clinics between June 2019 and February 2020. Patients were enrolled for monthly sessions delivered over 6 months by lay counsellors. Subjective quality of life along with symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured at baseline and endline (following the 6-month intervention) on the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) and Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS). Changes in measures were evaluated before and after the intervention using a t-test analysis. Post-intervention, in-depth interviews were held with patients and lay counsellors to gather insights into their experience of the intervention.

In total, 146 DIALOG+ sessions were conducted with 40 patients. At the 6-month post-intervention assessment, 33 patients showed improved subjective quality of life and reduced self-reported depression and anxiety scores. Patients reported that the intervention helped strengthen the therapeutic relationship with their lay counsellors, helped them track their progress through therapy and enhanced their self-management of negative emotions and behaviours.

Structured communication can help strengthen lay counsellors’ ability to improve therapeutic outcomes of people with common mental disorders in resource-constrained community settings. Future clinical trials are recommended to further evaluate the long-term impact of the DIALOG+ intervention on mental health outcomes.