Work

A call for action: Guidelines for implementation of mental health services at the community level

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Mental health challenges account for approximately 18% of global disease burden. Few people with mental health challenges receive the required treatment, especially at community level. Implementation of mental health services at the community level is vital. Aim: The study aimed to explore and describe the content for inclusion in the guidelines for the implementation of mental health services in the Ward-Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams (WBPHCOTs) services in South Africa. Setting: Data was collected in subdistrict one offices from the experts in mental health services and WBPHCOTs working in Tshwane District, Gauteng province, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative, explorative and descriptive design that followed a Nominal Group Technique (NGT) for data collection. Eleven experts were purposively sampled for participation in the study. The NGT process was followed: silent generation of ideas, round robin, group discussion and clarification process. Finally, ranking of ideas and group consensus was reached. Results: The following content was identified for inclusion in the guidelines: visits to households, collaboration with mental health key stakeholders, training, mental health prevention and promotion, adherence to treatment and advocacy, mental health professionals’ support, and strengthening community mental health services. Conclusion: The study assisted in identifying the content to be included in the guidelines for the implementation of mental health services in the WBPHCOTs’ services. Contribution: This study provides the content that could be included in the development of the guidelines for the implementation of mental health services in the WBPHCOTs services, with the anticipated contribution to the improvement in the implementation of mental health services at community level.

Source: Health SA Gesondheid

DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3287

Authors: Khalaeng F. Thobane, Fhumulani M. Mulaudzi, Ndivhaleni R. Lavhelani, Rodwell Gundo

Institution: University of Pretoria

Language: English

Topic: Mental Health Treatment and Access

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $581