Establishing a child and adolescent mental health center in Herat, Afghanistan: a project description

Abdul Fattah Najm , Aziz-ur-Rahman Niazi , Mina Alekozay , Emily B. Allan , Kaaren Mathias
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Abstract

Objective

Afghanistan has witnessed a long-lasting 4-decade armed conflict, which together with high levels of poverty and interpersonal violence, resulted in high incidence and prevalence of mental disorders in general population, including children and adolescents. Until mid-2018, there was neither mental health care facility nor a child psychiatrist in Afghanistan. Here, we report the establishment of the first children and adolescents’ mental health center (CAMHC) in Herat province of Afghanistan.

Methods

In July 2018, CAMHC was initiated at Mental Health Training Center – Herat. CAMHC was initially planned by the International Assistance Mission (IAM) and Herat Public Health Directorate; and financially supported by the Tearfund UK, the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Tearfund Australia. The target population of CAMHC was children and adolescents in Herat and neighboring provinces, healthcare professionals, staff of government and non-governmental organizations, school teachers and community leaders.

Results

A group of eight mental health professionals were trained and made the interdisciplinary board for diagnosis and management of mental disorders in children and adolescents. During the initial three-year period, 2 448 patients, including 1 264 (51.6%) boys and 1 184 (48.4%) girls, presented with mental disorders to CAMHC. Diagnosis and management of mental disorders were performed according to standard international protocols. Eighteen awareness-raising seminars were held; 2 000 leaflets, 10 000 posters, and 30 000 brochures were prepared and distributed; and two short video clips were produced and broadcast via IAM website, social media and local TV channels. A database was developed to house for project data, assessment of outcomes and reporting to stakeholders.

Conclusion

Establishment of CAMHC resulted in significant achievements in diagnosis and management of mental disorders among children and adolescents, healthcare staff capacity building, and awareness-raising about mental disorders. Data obtained in CAMHC offers government, mental health professionals and the community the opportunity of improving mental health in the region.

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在阿富汗赫拉特建立儿童和青少年心理健康中心:项目说明
目标 阿富汗经历了长达 40 年之久的武装冲突,再加上严重的贫困和人际暴力,导致包括儿童和青少年在内的普通人群精神障碍的发病率和流行率居高不下。直到 2018 年年中,阿富汗既没有精神卫生保健机构,也没有儿童精神科医生。在此,我们报告了在阿富汗赫拉特省建立首个儿童和青少年心理健康中心(CAMHC)的情况。方法2018 年 7 月,赫拉特省心理健康培训中心(Mental Health Training Center - Herat)启动了儿童和青少年心理健康中心。CAMHC最初由国际援助团(IAM)和赫拉特公共卫生局规划,并由英国德爱基金、联合卫理公会救济委员会和澳大利亚德爱基金提供资金支持。儿童和青少年心理健康中心的目标人群是赫拉特及邻近省份的儿童和青少年、医疗保健专业人员、政府和非政府组织工作人员、学校教师和社区领袖。在最初的三年期间,共有 2 448 名患者因精神障碍前往儿童和青少年健康中心就诊,其中包括 1 264 名男孩(51.6%)和 1 184 名女孩(48.4%)。精神障碍的诊断和治疗均按照国际标准方案进行。举办了 18 次提高认识研讨会;编制并分发了 2 000 份传单、10 000 份海报和 30 000 本小册子;制作了两部视频短片,并通过国际精神健康协会网站、社交媒体和当地电视频道播放。结论:儿童和青少年心理健康中心的建立在儿童和青少年精神障碍的诊断和管理、医护人员的能力建设以及提高对精神障碍的认识方面取得了重大成就。社区心理健康中心获得的数据为政府、心理健康专业人员和社区提供了改善该地区心理健康的机会。
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来源期刊
Global health journal (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Global health journal (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Public Health and Health Policy
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