Development and validation of a digital community-based mental health protocol (RELATE-ME) in Malaysia

To bridge the gaps of mental health service in Malaysia, we developed a digital intervention protocol (RELATE-ME) aiming to restore social connectedness and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Co-designed with a cross-disciplinary panel, we integrate principles of digital mental health, support group modality, psychoeducation elements, and community engagement into a 2-week online group program. To validate the protocol, we trained three community health workers (CHWs) to facilitate a briefer version of RELATE-ME with two groups of participants (six elders and six youths) in suburban Malaysia. After 4 days, they were interviewed regarding the feasibility and acceptability of this program. The interview transcripts were coded by the research assistant through an inductive-deductive method. Results showed that the majority of the participants reported the relationship with CHWs and peers as a motivator to sustain their engagement and it took time to build trust with each other. They appreciated the engaging group contents (e.g. relaxing and pleasant activities), sharing of their peers and skill-building lessons (e.g. learning of goal setting, stress management and relationship building). However, they faced the challenge of time constraints, family duties, low English literacy and digital literacy, especially among the elderly group. This finding suggested that RELATE-ME is a feasible protocol to increase social connectedness and well-being in the suburban area of a middle-income Asian country like Malaysia. Its effectiveness could be further enhanced through capacity building of CHWs, translating all contents into local languages and implementation in a physical setting.