Adolescents in Malawi face a range of psycho-social challenges that affect their well-being and academic performance. This study aimed to identify an effective approach for managing common psycho-social problems among adolescent learners in Zomba, Malawi. A quasi-experimental, non-equivalent groups design was employed, utilizing a quantitative approach. The study targeted 317 adolescent learners from two secondary schools. Findings revealed a high prevalence of psycho-social challenges among adolescent learners, including depression (87%), suicidal thoughts (26.4%), substance use (31.3%), while few participants had positive attitudes towards mental health problems (26.4%), and knowledge of mental health problems (23.3%). The combined psycho-education and group counselling intervention contributed to a reduction in psycho-social problems. However, its impact was not statistically significant in some tested variables. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address adolescent psycho-social challenges. While the combined psycho-education and group counselling approach demonstrated some effectiveness, further research is needed to explore its impact in different educational settings, including community day secondary schools, primary schools, and higher education institutions. Findings from this study will inform stakeholders on effective strategies for supporting adolescent mental health.