Background

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Ghana, limited access to mental health services has resulted in a significant treatment gap, estimated to be between 95% and 98%. Addressing this gap is critical, and one effective strategy is the integration of mental health services into primary healthcare (PHC).

Ghana Somubi Dwumadie adopted the Programme for Improving Mental Healthcare (PRIME) model to develop and implement District Mental Healthcare Plans (DMHCPs) in three demonstration districts of Ghana. The PRIME model is a research-based approach that focuses on integrating mental health care into primary care settings, delivering services across three levels of care—healthcare organisations, health facilities, and the community—while addressing five critical domains: raising awareness, improving detection, treatment, recovery, and enabling functions.

Description

We invite you to a webinar titled "Developing and Implementing District Mental Healthcare Plans: Lessons from Ghana," where we will delve into Ghana’s innovative approach to bridging the mental health treatment gap through district-level planning. This session will explore the application of the PRIME model in Ghana, share key insights from the development and implementation of District Mental Healthcare Plans, and discuss the challenges and successes encountered in integrating mental health into primary healthcare.

Moderator: Professor Crick Lund - Co-Director, the Centre for Global Mental Health at

King’s College London

Speakers:

A/Prof. Benedict Weobong - School of Global Health, York University

Lionel Sakyi, Research Coordinator at Ghana Somubi Dwumadie

Dr Kenneth Ae-Ngibise, Technical Advisor at Ghana Somubi Dwumadie

This webinar was held on 29th August, 2024 at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM