Mental disorders are not only highly prevalent but are also highly disabling (1). Most of the global burden of mental illness falls to the poorest nations, where 80% of world’s population live (2). There are few resources available to meet mental health challenges in these countries. One third of the population of the world, i.e. 2 billion people, live in countries that spend less than 1% of their health budget on mental health (3).

Research is an essential tool to reduce the gap between the mental health need and the resources available in low and middle-income countries
(4). At present most evaluative research is conducted in high-income countries, and then applied to low and middle-income countries (5). Research
conducted in low and middle-income countries is often driven by industry and by high-income countries. The relevance of trials in low and middle-income countries compared with the global burden of disease is poor (6). There is evidence for cost effective treatments of certain disorders
such as depression, however the process and effectiveness of scaling up mental health interventions is yet to be assessed adequately (7). Such
evaluative research is needed to inform the continuing process of service reform and innovation.