Primary care doctors in Fuzuli are better equipped with problem-solving skills in addressing mental health problems

As a part of the European Union (EU) funded “Coordination and Transformation of Mental Health Services in the Post-Conflict Setting” project implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO) Azerbaijan, a training program on mhGAP (The WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme) took place on 17 – 19 January at Fuzuli District Central Hospital.

mhGAP is a practical approach to improving access to mental health services in countries. Since its launch in 2008, mhGAP has been implemented in more than 100 countries, allowing many individuals to receive treatment for epilepsy, schizophrenia, and depression as well as suicide prevention and helping people live healthy lives even in areas with limited resources.

Previously qualified national trainers Sultana Salmanova from the Ministry of Health and Shafa Musayeva from TABIB delivered the training which aimed to better equip Family Health Center doctors with identifying, managing, and referring the most common mental health disorders. Participants took part in highly interactive sessions of role-plays and small group discussions to ensure competency of selected skills.

The training focuses on clinical depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and stress, as well as basic principles of the right approach to the people applying for help.

The Coordination and Transformation of Mental Health Services in Post-conflict Settings is an EU-funded project implemented by WHO Azerbaijan to improve mental healthcare services at the primary care level.

The project aims to help establish a multidisciplinary coordination mechanism for MHPSS and to build mental healthcare response capacity in PHC facilities. This project is part of the European Union's and the WHO's continued support to Azerbaijan.