Training of Trainers on mental health for psychiatrists

A training of trainers (TOT) was organized by the Health Training Center, Ministry of Health and Population, Provincial Government, Gandaki Province with the support of TPO Nepal from September 20 to September 25 2021. The TOT was conducted at the Health Training Center, Pokhara based on the National Health Training Center (NHTC) Module 2, also known as Mental Health Training for Medical Officers and Health Assistants. Dr. Kamal Gautam and Dr. Aayushree Gurung were the trainers from Day I to III while Dr. Ravi Raj Timasina and Dr. Dhirendra Paudel were the trainers from Day IV to VI. Total 6 participants including 5 psychiatrists and 1 MDGP participated in the training who would themselves train health workers at a later point.

Khim Bahadur Khadka, the Director of Health Directorate (Swasthya Nirdeshanayala), Gandaki Province and Ramesh Prasad Adhikari, the Acting Director of Health Training Center, Gandaki Province were also present during the opening and closing sessions of the training. During the opening ceremony, the Director of Health Directorate, Gandaki Province described the difficulties that local health facilities had to face in getting medication. He described a state of uneven procurement with medications that are going to waste due to lack of consumption or inability to get it to required consumers on one hand, and important ones that are not being able to get procured on the other.

Mr. Ramesh Prasad Adhikari also highlighted the importance of TOTs in mental health to produce a number of best trainers.

Different methods such as PowerPoint presentation, informational videos, role plays, referring to the training manual, and interactive discussions were used throughout the training. The focus of the training was on the assessment and management of mental health issues in the community. Topics such as overview of Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), Standard Treatment Protocol (STP), and different mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, self-harm/suicide, substance abuse, etc. were covered during the six days.