30 January 2019 – The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with Ministry of Health of Libya, has organized a one-week training of trainers workshop on mental health within the framework of family practice, which is taking place in Tunisia from 28 January to 1 February 2019.

The aim of the workshop is to provide additional guidance, knowledge and skills on mental health in primary care settings in alignment with the guidance provided by WHO in mhGAP materials.

A team approach is essential to ensure full integration of mental health into primary health care. Therefore, a total 22 participants (12 male, 10 female) representing the Primary Health Care Department of the central Ministry of Health, referral hospitals, specialists from the Family Physician Board of Libya and clinicians from 6 primary health care centres are participating in the workshop.

The workshop is being financially supported by a DFID-funded primary health care project as an essential element of family practice approach. This approach has been introduced in the 6 primary health care centres with the generous financial support of DFID through a comprehensive capacity-building programme.  The workshop is being facilitated by family physicians from Primary Care International with extensive experience of working in the Region, including Libya.  The workshop is expected to result in the development of training tools to be used by participants in cascading knowledge and skills to their coworkers in the same and nearby health centeres. In addition, the workshop aims to provide clear guidance on common elements of mental health care, including referral of complex cases.