Development and Evaluation of a Mental Health Training Program for Community Health Workers in Indonesia

Objective: Johnson & Johnson Global Public Health and the Ministry of Health of Rwanda strengthened the mental health awareness by providing an innovative, low-cost, easily accessible, and scalable remote training service (RTS) on mental health for Community Health Workers (CHWs).Methods: The RTS consisted of eight training modules shared via simple feature phones over a 4-week period. Quiz questions and baseline/endline assessments were included to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the training platform, the knowledge and self-confidence gained by the CHWs, and prospects for the sustainability of the platform.Results: Ninety-three percent of the CHWs completed at least four of the eight training modules, and 42% of the CHWs improved with a higher end score. The training content was considered interesting, easy to understand, and helpful to intervene appropriately to refer patients with signs of mental illness to a hospital and to provide community and family education on mental health topics.Conclusion: The RTS is feasible and acceptable for the delivery of mental health training on a large scale and contributed to strengthening the capacity in delivering mental health care at community level.

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Protocol of a Community-Based Intervention on Mental Health in Kashmir

Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1177/0253717620971198 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (6_suppl) ◽

pp. S68-S72

Author(s):

Aadil Bashir ◽

Margaret McDonald ◽

James Egan ◽

Mary E. Hawk

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Community Health ◽

Community Health Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Clinical Psychologist ◽

Mental Health Training ◽

Health Issues ◽

Community Based ◽

Mental Health Issues

Introduction: Mental health issues are on an exponential rise in Kashmir due to varied reasons including political instability, eco fragility, the growing lag in the provision of education and employment, and several other reasons. Impediments such as the overwhelming stigma and the cultural sensitivity associated with mental health issues both sustain and perpetuate mental ill health and also prevent any treatment and rehabilitation. This article describes the protocol of a research project, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research, which aims to address this issue. Aim: To screen the population for mental health issues and to provide community-based intervention for the identified cases also to train community health workers for sustainable mental health support. Methods: We will conduct a household survey using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) for the identification of the clients. A multi-stage random sampling shall be used to select the villages and the households from the marginalized communities. A sample of 500 respondents shall be screened using HSCL-25. Those who screen positive for mental health issues will be offered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) by a qualified clinical psychologist. The research will be able to address the diagnosis of depression and anxiety-related cases and the subsequent intervention. Additionally, we will utilize the facilitator’s manual for Mental Health Training Program for Community Health Workers to build sustainable mental health services in community settings. Discussion: The study shall present a roadmap focusing on the indispensability of a comprehensive community-based intervention on mental health utilizing a non-pharmacological method. Assessing and analyzing the dynamics of mental health illness first hand, the study shall move ahead to offer a culturally tailored counseling program at the community level. The study also aims to highlight the role of the indigenous human resource (community health workers) and how its participation leads to a more scientific and sustainable intervention for more effective results, with an increased level of awareness and sensitization in a conventional society like Kashmir.

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