Tag: Community-based Mental Health Programme

Would Strengthening Community Health Systems for Mental Health Improve Access & Increase Utilisation of Services?

Published on by Andrew Marshall1 Comment

Research Paper Title

Strengthening Mental Health Systems in Zambia.

Background

Studies in mental health care for low resource settings indicate that providing services at primary care level would significantly improve provision and utilisation of mental health services.

Challenges related to inadequate funding were noted as significant barriers to service provision, with the contribution of low knowledge of mental health conditions and stigma in the community.

This study aimed to explore the barriers to the use of mental health services in Zambia, suggesting health systems thinking approaches to solving these challenges.

Methods

Primary data were collected through individual interviews from 12 participants; primary caregivers, health workers from public health institutions that treat mental health conditions and policymakers and implementers.

The digitally recorded responses were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Key barriers to care included inadequate funding, few human resources, poor infrastructure and stigma.

Barriers to care at policy, facility and individual or community level could be alleviated by strengthening the mental health system.

Engagement of community health workers and increasing efforts to sensitise the community about mental health would prove beneficial.

Conclusions

Strengthening the community health systems for mental health could improve access and increase utilisation of services.

Reference

Munakampe, M.N. (2020) Strengthening Mental Health Systems in Zambia. International Journal of Mental Health Systems. 14:28. doi: 10.1186/s13033-020-00360-z. eCollection 2020.

Primary Healthcare & Categories of Mental Health Programmes

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Research Paper Title

Innovative Mental Health Initiatives in India: A Scope for Strengthening Primary Healthcare Services.

Background

Mental health burden is a major health concern worldwide.

In the last few decades, we are witnessing innovations that are successfully addressing gaps in the mental health service delivery in Indian context.

This is an opportune time to explore existing innovative mental health initiatives in the country and integrate viable interventions to primary healthcare facilities to strengthen public mental healthcare delivery.

Methods

A descriptive review of literature on innovative mental health programs in India was carried out.

The initial search from google scholar and PubMed database yielded 1152 articles, of which 1,114 were excluded that did not meet inclusion criteria.

Full texts of 38 articles were reviewed and finally 22 studies were included for the study.

Results

Based on the review, most innovations are broadly summarised into five categories:

  1. Quality improvement mental health programmes;
  2. Community-based mental health programmes;
  3. Non-specialist mental health programmes;
  4. Mobile technology-based mental health programmes; and
  5. Tele-mental health programmes.

These promising innovations in treatment and care can be customised as per the context for scale up and integrated into the primary healthcare system through the District Mental Health Programme.

Conclusions

The innovative approach not only makes mental health services more accessible and affordable but also empowering in nature by encouraging community members in early detection, prevention of mental illness and appropriate treatment referral to existing primary health care services.

Reference

Pandya, A., Shah, K., Chauhan, A. & Saha, S. (2020) Innovative Mental Health Initiatives in India: A Scope for Strengthening Primary Healthcare Services. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 9(2), pp.502-507. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_977_19. eCollection 2020 Feb.