Evaluating the Performance of Community Mental Health Centers in Iran: Strengths and Challenges

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the performance of Community-based Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) in Iran and identifying the strengths and challenges in the provision of mental health services. Methods: This is a qualitative study, conducted using 36 individual interviews and 13 focus group discussions. Content analysis was performed and data were categorized. The findings were presented in terms of the needs for program implementation, achieving the expected goals and outcomes, and the findings of program evaluation. First, the points related to the provision of infrastructure and setting up the centers were mentioned, and then, the features, strengths and challenges facing the program were discussed. Results: Significant successes were achieved in providing infrastructure and implementing the community-based mental health program. Challenges in the implementation of this program included the barriers to attracting more general physicians and the impact of culture and attitudes in each city on the effectiveness of the program. Conclusion: To improve the performance of CMHCs, more attention should be paid to psychiatry and mental health educational programs in the general medicine curriculum, public education about the mental health and providing solutions for better implementation of the program.