A mind vaccine
against trauma
Protect yourself from trauma
We vaccinate against the flu at ~30% protection.
This is ~50% — and free.
Free · 47 languages · A few minutes per day
Start in your language
Illustrated guide + guided audio exercises. Everything you need.
The evidence
In clinical trials with people facing severe ongoing trauma, this program reduced psychological damage by ~50%.
Syrian refugees facing active conflict: depression reduced by 45%, PTSD by 54%, anxiety by 49%. (World Psychiatry, 2022)
South Sudanese refugee women without pre-existing disorders: 84% lower risk of developing a mental disorder. (BMJ Open, 2023)
Most clinical trials used a trained non-specialist facilitator. WHO's published materials support both guided and unguided use, though guided self-help is expected to be more effective (WHO, 2026). Since many people don't have a facilitator nearby, this page makes the materials available to work through on your own. Where WHO facilitator audio exists, we've linked it — and if a facilitated version runs near you, it's worth considering. Otherwise, doing it with a friend can help with commitment and follow-through.
Tested in more than 1,800 people across countries. Effects appear strongest when the trauma is severe and ongoing. In some trials, however, it did not significantly reduce rates of psychiatric disorders or symptoms, although in one of the two such trials participants still showed less distress and better wellbeing (Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 2022; Royal Society Open Science, 2021). Importantly, no worsening or intervention-related harm was reported in any of the mentioned trials.
Built for real-world access
Why we host this
The WHO created something remarkable — a program that can meaningfully protect people from the psychological damage of severe trauma — and released it under a Creative Commons licence that allows it to be adapted to local needs and shared freely. We're deeply thankful for that generosity. But the program can be hard to find, scattered across institutional sites, and difficult to access on the older devices common in crisis zones. We built this platform to remove those barriers. No cost, no registration, no credit cards collected.
These individuals and organizations helped carry this program to communities in crisis — through broadcasts, outreach, and the willingness to amplify a message when it mattered most.
- Alireza Hekmatshoar
- Asr Emrooz
- Ben Spaloss
- Daniel Truran
- Debbie Amini
- Francoise Le Goff
- Laureline Soler
- Martina Crepaz
- Radio IRAN KIRN 670 AM
- Soheil Alimadad
- Steven Hayes
If you are in immediate danger
This program builds skills over time — it is not a crisis intervention. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact emergency services (911 in the US) or a crisis hotline.
Information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for advice from your healthcare professional. Do not use information on this web site for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, prescribing medication, or selecting any treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this web site. Viewing or using this website DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and any clinician affiliated with this website. None of the content constitutes advertising or endorsement of any treatments, products, or services. Information and statements regarding treatments, unless otherwise explicitly stated, have not been necessarily evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease. Third-party content hosted on this site, including WHO materials, is provided as a public service and does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with the originating organization. In emergencies, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
References
- World Health Organization. Psychological self-help interventions: delivering self-help for individuals, featuring Step-by-Step and Doing What Matters in Times of Stress. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2026.
- Acarturk C, Uygun E, Ilkkursun Z, et al. Effectiveness of a WHO self-help psychological intervention for preventing mental disorders among Syrian refugees in Turkey: a randomized controlled trial. World Psychiatry. 2022;21(1):88–95.
- Augustinavicius J, Purgato M, Tedeschi F, et al. Prevention and promotion effects of Self Help Plus: secondary analysis of cluster randomised controlled trial data among South Sudanese refugee women in Uganda. BMJ Open. 2023;13(9):e048043.
- Turrini G, Purgato M, Tedeschi F, et al. Long-term effectiveness of Self-Help Plus in refugees and asylum seekers resettled in Western Europe: 12-month outcomes of a randomised controlled trial. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences. 2022;31:e39.
- Riello M, et al. Effectiveness of self-help plus (SH+) in reducing anxiety and post-traumatic symptomatology among care home workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial. Royal Society Open Science. 2021;8(11):210219.