INTEGRATION OF MENTAL HEALTH INTO MANAGEMENT OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN PRIMARY CARE: A PROJECT REPORT

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Primary Care Medicine
• Mental Health Services

Background:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the link between mental disorders and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
• Integrating mental health services into NCD management is critical for comprehensive patient care.
• This report details a quality improvement project in Ghana focused on integrating mental health into primary care for hypertension and Type 2 diabetes patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance mental health help-seeking behaviors among adult patients diagnosed with hypertension and/or Type 2 diabetes.
• To achieve this through the integration of mental health services within primary care settings.

Main Methods:

• A quality improvement project conducted in a primary care hospital in Ghana from September 2023 to April 2024.
• Screening of adult patients with hypertension and/or Type 2 diabetes using the PHQ-4 tool for anxiety and depression (October 2023-January 2024).
• Provision of mental health information via posters and health education sessions, alongside collaborative, patient-centered management by healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• 205 patients were screened, with 39 (19%) identified as having anxiety or depression.
• Collaborative management led to symptom resolution in 36 patients; 3 patients transferred care.
• The project demonstrated successful integration of mental health support within chronic disease management.

Conclusions:

• Integrating mental health services into NCD management is essential for improving patient outcomes.
• This project underscores the need for integrated mental health care in primary care settings in Ghana.
• Advocacy for policy development with specific guidelines for integrating mental health into NCD care is recommended.