Iran's Comprehensive Mental and Social Health Services (SERAJ Program): A Pilot Protocol

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Services Research

Background:

• The Iranian Mental Health Survey (IranMHS) revealed a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders (23.6%) with a substantial treatment gap, as two-thirds of patients received inadequate care.
• Inadequate mental health services impose a significant burden on Iranian families, necessitating a national intervention program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and outline the protocol for the pilot implementation of a new national program called SERAJ (Social and Mental Health Services).
• SERAJ aims to provide comprehensive social and mental health services, addressing both preventive and treatment measures.

Main Methods:

• The study employed an action research methodology in a collaborative mode.
• Protocol development involved extensive literature reviews, expert interviews, and focused group discussions with stakeholders.

Main Results:

• The pilot implementation of SERAJ is structured into four distinct phases: documentation and team preparation, service prerequisite setup, pilot service delivery, and implementation with evaluation.
• The proposed SERAJ program is designed to offer primary and secondary services, ensuring broader population access.

Conclusions:

• SERAJ offers a more comprehensive approach to mental and social health disorders compared to current services in Iran.
• The study recommends piloting and evaluating the SERAJ program in three selected districts across Iran to assess its effectiveness.