The Cares of Life Project (CoLP): an exploratory randomised controlled trial of a community-based intervention for black people with common mental disorder.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a needs-led, community-based intervention for treating individuals from black minority ethnic (BME) groups with common mental disorders. METHOD: Forty eligible individuals from BME groups were randomised to a needs-led package of care (therapy based on the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy and ethnically matched therapists, advocacy and mentoring; 'rapid access') or to a 3-month waiting list control with information on local mental health services ('standard access'). RESULTS: At 3-month follow-up, individuals in the rapid access group showed significantly improved levels of depression (GHQ-28 adjusted p<0.05) although there was no evidence for difference in general functioning (GAF, p=0.87). The intervention was found to be culturally appropriate and acceptable among users and did not result in significantly increased costs. LIMITATIONS: The exploratory study sample was small with low power and therefore the statistical certainty may be limited. CONCLUSIONS: Effective and culturally acceptable psychosocial interventions can be delivered in the community to individuals from BME groups with anxiety and depression with no significant cost implications.