Technology-driven innovative model for integrating mental healthcare into primary care: Example from Chhattisgarh,...

Despite the expansion of India's National Mental Health Program and the District Mental Health Program (DMHP), Chhattisgarh continues to face a significant shortage of specialist mental health professionals. To address this gap, two hybrid task-shifting initiatives-Chhattisgarh Community Mental Health Care Tele-Mentoring Program (CHaMP) and Tele-mentoring for Rural Health Organisers of Chhattisgarh (TORENT)-were launched. This paper describes these programs and evaluates their preliminary impact.

CHaMP targeted Primary Care Doctors, while TORENT focused on non-medical personnel, including Community Health Officers and Rural Health Organizers. The aim was to enable these frontline workers to screen, identify, manage, and follow up on common psychiatric disorders. Training was delivered using a standardized curriculum and validated clinical tools, emphasizing adult learning principles, peer learning, and a collaborative approach. Ongoing video-based consultations provided continuous mentoring and supervision. The programs' impact was assessed based on service coverage, workforce trained, and the number of individuals screened, referred, diagnosed, and treated annually.

From August 2019 to January 2024, >11,000 healthcare professionals were trained under CHaMP and TORENT. During this period, Community and Rural Health Organizers screened 1169,520 people. Of these, 105,070 individuals (approximately 9 %) screened positive and were referred for further assessment. Primary Care Doctors diagnosed and treated 1002,136 individuals. These efforts resulted in the establishment of a decentralized, end-to-end mental health care delivery network across the state.

CHaMP and TORENT represent an innovative and scalable strategy for integrating mental health into primary care. Their success offers a replicable model for integrating mental health into primary care across similar regions globally.