The Abangane programme is uniquely tailored to bereaved adolescent girls, and it is evidence-based.

An independent evaluation demonstrated its effectiveness in improving the mental health of participants. A randomised controlled trial, the gold standard evaluation method, conducted in 2015 by Tulane University’s Highly Vulnerable Children Research Center (HVC-RC) found that girls who participated in the programme achieved significant improvements in their mental health compared to girls who had been wait-listed for the intervention. These findings were published in peer reviewed and acclaimed journal The Lancet, 24 April 2017.

Outcomes included:

• A significant decrease in problematic grief and depressive symptoms,
• A significant decrease in behavioural problems reported by their caregivers,
• A significant increase in emotional and social support received.

For a Summary of the RCT findings please click here.

For the full article in the Lancet Global Health please click here.