GRANA – School-based mental health support for adolescents

💛 Millions of adolescents struggle with anxiety and depression without access to care.

Adolescent mental health has become a growing public health concern across Latin America. Anxiety and depression during adolescence can lead to persistent emotional distress, difficulties in school performance, social isolation, and increased risk of self-harm or suicide if left untreated. These conditions often emerge early in life and can affect long-term wellbeing, educational trajectories, and future economic opportunities. 

In Colombia, the magnitude of the challenge is particularly alarming. Mental health concerns affect millions of children and adolescents, with evidence suggesting that a substantial share of young people show signs of emotional distress. Vulnerability is especially high among adolescents living in poverty and rural areas, where exposure to violence, displacement, and social exclusion can exacerbate mental health challenges. 

Despite the scale of the problem, access to mental health services remains extremely limited. Many rural schools lack psychosocial support, and professional mental health providers are scarce. As a result, most adolescents with symptoms of anxiety or depression never receive timely support. This intervention seeks to bridge that gap by delivering scalable mental health support directly within schools.

👥 Who Will Benefit

Primary beneficiaries

• Adolescents aged approximately 13–18 years
• Students with elevated symptoms of anxiety or depression
• Youth attending schools in rural or resource-limited communities
• Adolescents facing poverty, social exclusion, or conflict-affected environments

Secondary beneficiaries

• Families and caregivers
• School communities and teachers
• Local education systems
• Communities benefiting from improved youth wellbeing and resilience

In Colombia

Adolescents in rural regions face significant barriers to accessing mental health services. Geographic isolation, limited availability of specialists, stigma around mental health, and economic constraints prevent many young people from receiving care. Schools therefore represent one of the most effective entry points for early intervention and prevention. 

📊 Metrics Donors Can Understand

This program adapts Shamiri, a brief, group-based mental health intervention delivered in schools by trained non-clinical facilitators. The approach focuses on practical psychological skills such as growth mindset, gratitude, and values clarification.

Evidence-backed outcomes:

Participants showed:

• Reduced symptoms of depression (Cohen’s d ≈ 0.35)
• Reduced symptoms of anxiety (Cohen’s d ≈ 0.37)
• Improved psychological wellbeing and optimism
• Better academic engagement and social support among peers 

The intervention is designed to be highly scalable. Delivery costs are estimated at about $15 per student, making it significantly more affordable than traditional therapy while still producing measurable improvements in mental health outcomes. 

🌍 Why This Matters

Adolescence is a critical window for preventing lifelong mental health challenges. When anxiety and depression are addressed early, young people are more likely to remain in school, build supportive relationships, and develop resilience that carries into adulthood.

Supporting scalable, evidence-based mental health programs in schools offers a rare opportunity: improving wellbeing today while strengthening the human capital of future generations. By investing in interventions like this one, donors can help ensure that millions of young people have the psychological tools they need to thrive.