From November 19 to 22, 2024, a mental health training was held in the city of Trostyanets in accordance with the WHO global program – Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP). Interns and employees of the Department of Internal and Family Medicine of the Educational and scientific medical institute Sumy State University took part in this event. This event was held with the aim of increasing access to mental health services by involving primary care (PHC) health workers in providing services to patients with mental disorders. In a comfortable, hospitable atmosphere, together with the training mentors, they discussed how to recognize and assess priority disorders. They learned and practiced in groups the principles of providing assistance to persons with common mental disorders (depression, acute stress reaction, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal behavior, disorders related to the use of psychoactive substances, other complaints about mental health). They gained valuable skills in effective communication with the patient and his/her loved ones. The event hosts shared knowledge and advice on how to manage such disorders if they are mild or moderate in severity and the person does not want to go to a specialist (psychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychologist). They learned details about referrals to specialists and relevant services (e.g. social services, rehabilitation centers, etc.).
Currently, the World Health Organization mhGAP program is part of a priority project of the Ministry of Health within the framework of the implementation of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How are you?”, initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.
The mhGAP guideline and its version for humanitarian emergencies offer general practitioners protocols for diagnosing and managing common mental disorders and other tools and knowledge important for their work.
