Development of a scalable mental healthcare plan for a rural district in Ethiopia

Abebaw Fekadu, Charlotte Hanlon, Girmay Medhin, Atalay Alem, Medhin Selamu, Tedla W Giorgis, Teshome Shibre, Solomon Teferra, Teketel Tegegn, Erica Breuer, Vikram Patel, Mark Tomlinson, Graham Thornicroft, Martin Prince, Crick Lund

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

82 Citations (Scopus)
202 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background:

Developing evidence for the implementation and scaling up of mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) like Ethiopia is an urgent priority.AimsTo outline a mental healthcare plan (MHCP), as a scalable template for the implementation of mental healthcare in rural Ethiopia.

Method:

A mixed methods approach was used to develop the MHCP for the three levels of the district health system (community, health facility and healthcare organisation).

Results:

The community packages were community case detection, community reintegration and community inclusion. The facility packages included capacity building, decision support and staff well-being. Organisational packages were programme management, supervision and sustainability.

Conclusions:

The MHCP focused on improving demand and access at the community level, inclusive care at the facility level and sustainability at the organisation level. The MHCP represented an essential framework for the provision of integrated care and may be a useful template for similar LMIC.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBritish Journal of Psychiatry
Volume207
Issue number5
Early online date4 Jan 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2016

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