World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
WHO Country Office in Lebanon

WHO Collaborative Programme

Mental Health

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Situation Analysis

Lebanon has a health system in which, almost all services are provided by the private sector. The role of NGO's and religious organizations is also quite important. There is no separate collaborative program on mental health. During last biennium, the need for training GPS was felt by the authorities and the possibility of introducing Mental Health Care into the PHC is considered. 

There is an urgent need for national data in order to develop strategic interventions and detailed work-plan for the country, whether on private, public or individual levels.

Lebanon through the Institute for Development Research and Applied Care (IDRAC) will be the only Arab country to join a group of 26 countries to assess the prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses, the scope and specifics of substance use and abuse, the extend of service utilization and use of medications for emotional and psychiatric disorder as well as the effect of various variables on mental health. It will also attempt to measure the temperament of the Lebanese and its impact on productivity and quality of life. 

Constraints:

- All services are clinic and hospital based, there is a need to build community serviced integrated into primary health care.

Objectives:

- Needs assessment in the area of mental health 
- Awareness raising and training at different levels.