WHO's 'Step-by-Step' Digital Mental Health Program Recognized as Promising Innovation

The World Health Organization's "Step-by-Step" program was recognized as a promising innovation for mental health in humanitarian settings at the World Bank Group's Fragility Forum in June 2026.

The program is a free, digital self-help tool designed to help people manage depression and anxiety. It uses picture-based stories and guidance from non-specialist helpers, making it accessible in settings where trained mental health professionals are scarce.

Clinical trials conducted in Lebanon showed strong results. Nearly half of participants reported a 50 percent or greater reduction in depressive symptoms and stress after using the program. The trials were conducted in a conflict-affected environment, where access to traditional mental health services is limited.

The WHO also released a new practical guide alongside the recognition: "Psychological self-help interventions: delivering self-help for individuals." The guide is intended to help governments, NGOs, and health planners implement evidence-based digital mental health tools in their programs.

The recognition comes during June, which is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. The 2026 theme is "Partners in Care: Advancing Men's Health Through Connection, Education, and Advocacy." Data shows men account for approximately 80 percent of suicide deaths in the U.S., yet only 17 percent of men consulted a mental health professional in 2023.

Experts note that depression in men often presents differently than in women, frequently appearing as irritability, overwork, or substance use rather than sadness, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.