EU and WHO support the development of mental health services in 5 regions of Azerbaijan

 The interim results of the EU-funded "Coordination and Transformation of Mental Health Services in the Post-Conflict Settings" project, implemented by World Health Organization (WHO) Azerbaijan, have been presented.  

The main purpose of the event was to share the work done within the project, the achievements, and the multidisciplinary psychosocial support experience of WHO with local partners. 

During the event, opening speeched were given by Dr Hande Harmanci, WHO Representative in Azerbaijan, Ahliman Amiraslanov, Chairman of the Health Committee of the Milli Majlis, Musa Guliyev, Chairman of the Labor and Social Policy Committee of the Milli Majlis, Anar Israfilov, Deputy Executive Director of TABIB and Anar Bayramov, Chairman of the Board of the State Medical-Social Expertise and Rehabilitation Agency. Fuad Ismayilov, director of the Mental Health Center, spoke about the current state of the mental health system in Azerbaijan, Elturan Ismayilov, WHO Azerbaijan’s coordinator for mental health and psychosocial support, presented interim results and Agahasan Rasulov, professor of Azerbaijan Medical University, spoke about the multidisciplinary psychosocial support. Additionally, the event included the first meeting of the Coordination Group to improve and implement coordination mechanisms. Represntatives from WHO and government agencies also identified next steps, including the review of referral systems for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (PSPSD) to improve efficiency. 

Within the project, mental health trainings were organized for more than 100 primary health workers. Currently, supervisions are being held to support doctors who have completed these trainings and are aplying the acquired knowledge in practice. Psychosocial trainings and supervisions are also being organized for about 50 coordinators working with vulnerable groups of the population in hospitals. 

WHO specialists provide direct psychosocial support to the population in district central hospitals, as well as in a mobile office established in the Agdam Inter-Regional Psychiatric Dispensary. Furthermore, campaigns were carried out in Barda and Aghjabadi to educate the population, reduce the stigma related to psychological health, and inform them about available services. 

The pilot project is planned to be implemented by the end of this year. 

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.