The training sessions for healthcare professionals on the utilisation of the “Guide for the Management of Mental Health Disorders in Primary Healthcare” have concluded successfully. Participants included family doctors, nurses, social workers, and psychologists from 29 healthcare centres in Durrës, Elbasan, Fier, Burrel, Korçë, and Shkodër.
The objective of these train-the-trainer sessions was to empower participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for using the guide on managing mental health disorders and relevant clinical tools as well as facilitate the dissemination of this knowledge and skills to their colleagues at the healthcare centre level through the establishment of Peer Groups.
Throughout the training, key principles of care for individuals with mental health disorders were discussed. Specific focus areas included acute stress, grief, depression, schizophrenia, harmful alcohol and drug use, suicide, and other harmful behaviours. Participants engaged in role-playing, small group discussions and presentations, fostering interactive question-answer sessions and further discussions on the use of the necessary clinical tools for each case.
A crucial component of the training was the empowerment of participants to establish Peer Groups in their respective healthcare centres. This involved presenting to them the documents for application, such as Meeting Calendar, Application Form, Evaluation Form, Certificate, Training Material Link, and CV Template. By establishing Peer Groups, the remaining family doctors, nurses, social workers, and psychologists working in these health centres can benefit from this training as well.
The training was conducted in collaboration with the Analitica Centre and its trainers Dr. Neli Demi and Msc. Sonila Meçaj.