Strategy	Effectiveness evidencea	Contextual appropriatenessb	Perceived acceptability, feasibility, effectiveness and safetyc
Strategies included in HAP
Supportive counselling	+++	+++	++
Psychoeducation	+++	+++	++
Problem-solving	+++	+++	++
Enlisting social support	+++	+++	++
Relaxation	+++	+++	++
Physical exercise	+++	++	++
Addressing interpersonal triggers	+++	+++	++
Activity scheduling	+++	++	++
Graded task assignment	+++	++	++
Family psychoeducation		+++	++
Treatment planning	+++	+++	++
Strategies not included in HAP
Value education		++	+
Reminiscence	+++		++
Cognitive restructuring	+++	+++
Contextual functional analysis	+++	++	++
Focus on past experiences and relationships	+++		+
Radical acceptance	+++	+++	+
Addressing unconscious mechanisms	+++
Family counselling	+		++
Support groups	+++	+++	++
Religious/spiritual practice		++	++

^a.+++, Mental Health Gap Action Programme recommendation or at least one international systematic review or at least one randomised controlled trial (RCT) from South Asia; ++, at least one international RCT; +, any type of evidence from South Asia.

^b.+++, Evidence of generalisability of international evidence or one RCT from region; ++, evidence from qualitative studies; +, other types of regional evidence.

^c.++, Composite score of both mental health professionals and lay counsellor ⩾3.5; +, composite score of both mental health professional or lay counsell or <3.5.