Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Background: Early intervention in mental health care is widely recognized as a crucial strategy for improving long-term outcomes, reducing crisis episodes, and enhancing quality of life. Community mental health nurses (CMHNs) are uniquely positioned to deliver such interventions, given their accessibility, trusted role, and ability to bridge clinical services with community settings.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CMHN-led early intervention programs in reducing symptom progression, improving quality of life, and minimizing crisis-level episodes among individuals with early signs of psychological distress.
Methods: A community-based, quasi-experimental study was conducted with 300 participants (aged 18-55 years) recruited from five mental health centers. Participants were randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received a structured, nurse-led early intervention program that included screening, psychoeducation, supportive counseling, and care coordination, while the control group received standard care. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months using standardized tools (PHQ-9, GHQ-12, and QoL index). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, chi-square tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests.
Results: At 12 months, the intervention group demonstrated a greater reduction in PHQ-9 scores (mean difference = −3.1, p<0.001) and a higher QoL improvement (mean difference = +8.2, p<0.001) compared to controls. The rate of crisis-level episodes was significantly lower in the intervention group (8.0%) than in the control group (18.0%) (p = 0.010), and time to first appointment was substantially shorter. These findings confirm the positive impact of nurse-led programs on early mental health outcomes.
Conclusion: CMHN-led early intervention programs are effective in mitigating symptom escalation, improving functional well-being, and preventing crises. Integrating these programs into primary care frameworks may enhance access, reduce treatment delays, and strengthen community-based mental health systems. Scaling up such interventions, supported by training, community engagement, and policy investment, offers a sustainable pathway for improving mental health outcomes at the population level.