Citation

Ali A, Chakraborty N. BJPsych Int. 2022; 19(2): 41-44.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/bji.2021.32

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In the majority of low- and middle-income countries, mental healthcare is delivered by primary care workers. Often, they are the only contact for patients and their families. Although their knowledge base can be limited, they are expected to manage complex cases with few resources. The authors describe their experience of partnership with mental health centres set up by the Nigeria Health Care Project, and training their primary care workers based on the World Health Organization's Mental Health Gap Action Programme. Although the programme was very effective in helping to upskill their knowledge and experience, a need for continued professional development was highlighted. Based on their feedback, multiple evidence-based options are explored, including the use of remote learning and social media (increased significantly around the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic), to help primary care workers improve their knowledge base and maintain their competencies with the limited resources available. Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Nigeria; learning; mental health; suicide; Review; training; Mental health; primary care; medical education; awareness; primary medical care; clinical practice; health program; mental health service; health promotion; peer group; mental health center; skill; feedback system; clinical competence; population; evidence based practice; personal experience; experiential learning; professional knowledge; professional development; social media; coronavirus disease 2019; mental health gap action program