Meeting of partners participating in the scaling of face-to-face training under the mhGAP program

On March 9, an online meeting of representatives of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the World Health Organization, the Program Office and partner organizations participating in the scaling up of face-to-face training under the WHO mhGAP program was held.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss plans, organizational issues and coordinate efforts to meet the urgent need for face-to-face training of primary health care workers under the mhGAP program. Strengthening coordination will allow for efficient planning of trainings so that all specialists who have applied for training can complete it as soon as possible.

Training under the mhGAP program allows to acquire knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of common mental disorders. The course is designed for family doctors, pediatricians, therapists, paramedics, nurses.

In November 2022, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the WHO, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and partners, which is aimed at capacity building of primary health care (PHC) in the management of common mental disorders under the mhGAP program. The partners are mobilizing efforts to implement the memorandum, and one of the main elements of this process is conducting face-to-face trainings. Currently, coordination of a number of organizational points is being completed, after which the process of active scaling of training will start.

The mhGAP program has been implemented in Ukraine with the support of WHO since 2019.

mhGAP (Mental Health Gap Action Programme) is WHO's global flagship program to increase access to mental health services by involving non-mental health professionals (eg family doctors) in the care of people with mental disorders. The mhGAP Intervention Guide and its humanitarian emergency version provide general practitioners with protocols for the diagnosis and management of common mental disorders such as depression, acute stress reaction, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal behavior, substance use disorders, other important complaints about the state of mental health.

Training under the mhGAP program enables PHC specialists to provide medical services within the new package of the Medical Guarantee Program "Support and treatment of adults and children with mental disorders at primary health care." PHC facilities, in which at least 20% of the medical staff have the appropriate level of training, can enter into a contract with the National Health Service of Ukraine under this package. The package will be open for contracting throughout 2023.

All willing medical professionals can apply for face-to-face training, but it is recommended primarily for primary care specialists.

To apply for face-to-face training, you need to fill out the online form at the link: https://forms.gle/kPsQ41rxjwY1jXuJ8

Based on the results of processing applications, a schedule of face-to-face trainings in different regions of Ukraine will be formed. The planning of trainings will take place in accordance with the available opportunities for their conducting. It is worth noting that, first of all, there is a need to ensure the need for training workers of PHC facilities.

Specialists can also take the online course "Management of common mental disorders at primary health care level using the mhGAP Intervention Guide" on the platform of the Academy of National Health Service of Ukraine: https://academy.nszu.gov.ua/course/view.php?id=183. Its successful completion also allows providing services within the package "Support and treatment of adults and children with mental disorders at primary health care."

Scaling up training under the mhGAP program takes place as part of the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska to create the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program and with the support of the WHO.