Approximately one in every five Singaporean households employs Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) (Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics [Home], 2015). Mental health problems, especially depression, are prevalent among FDWs in Singapore (HOME, 2015). Yet, there is a lack of empirically-supported interventions to address their mental health needs.

To train FDWs as mental health paraprofessionals with selected CBT skills for depression, which may enable them to provide basic assistance to their fellow domestic workers with depressive symptoms.

To present and assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a 4 weekly 3-hour group CBT-based paraprofessional training program for FDWs.

Participants were randomized into either an intervention or a wait-list control group. Participants in the wait-list group received the training after the intervention group completed the training. Both groups completed questionnaires assessing attitudes towards seeking psychological help; stigma towards people with depression; self-confidence in delivering CBT; general self-efficacy; knowledge of depression and CBT before, immediately after, and two months following the training.

Thirty-eight out of 40 participants completed the program. Both groups did not differ on changes in any of the outcome variables. However, within-group analyses showed improved attitudes towards seeking professional health for mental health issues; greater depression literacy; and CBT knowledge following the training. These changes were sustained at 2-month follow-up. All participants indicated high level of satisfaction with the program.

These preliminary results highlight the potential effectiveness and feasibility of implementing the training as a stepped-care mental health service to address the high rate of depression among the FDW community.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.