Primary care for mental health defined
Integrating mental health into primary care is a global perspective by the World Health Organisation.
It is said that primary care for mental health refers specifically to mental health services that are integrated into general health care at a primary care level.
Primary care for mental health pertains to all diagnosable mental disorders, as well as to mental health issues that affect physical and mental well-being.
Services within the definition include:
- FIRST line intervention provided as an integrate past of general health care; and,
- MENTAL health care workers who are skilled, able, and supported to provide mental health care services.
The importance of community-based programmes, self-care, home care, informal mental health care provided by the community members, churches, the prevention of mental disorders, mental health promotions, and issues related to collaboration with other sectors of government ministries, such as education, welfare, labour, as well as involvement of consumers, family members and traditional healers.
Primary care for mental health forms a necessary part of comprehensive mental health care, as well as an essential part of general primary care.
However in isolation, it is never sufficient to meet the full spectrum of mental health needs of the population.
Mental disorders affect hundreds of millions of people and, if left untreated, create an enormous toll of suffering, disability and economic loss.
Despite the potential to successfully treat mental disorders, only a small minority of those in need receive even the most basic treatment.
Integrating mental health services into primary care is the most viable way of closing the treatment gap and ensuring that people get the mental health care they need.
Primary care for mental health is affordable, and investments can bring important benefits.
Certain skills and competencies are required to effectively assess, diagnose, treat, support and refer people with mental disorders; it is essential that primary care workers are adequately prepared and supported in their mental health work.
There is no single best practice model that can be followed by all countries. Rather, successes have been achieved through sensible local application of broad principles
Integration is most successful when mental health is incorporated into health policy and legislative frameworks and supported by senior leadership, adequate resources, and on-going governance.
To be fully effective and efficient, primary care for mental health must be coordinated with a network of services at different levels of care and complemented by broader health system development.
Numerous low- and middle-income countries have successfully made the transition to integrated primary care for mental health.
Mental health is central to the values and principles of the Alma Ata Declaration – that holistic care will never be achieved until mental health is integrated into primary care.
Next week’s edition – Primary care for mental health defined (continued)