Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Country Resources Mental Health Strategies and Plans Liberia 1 January 2010 Policy document

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Description

The Strategic Plan consists of six major objectives, each covering one or more strategic areas. There are thirteen (13) strategic areas which also consist of related activities. The objectives and their related strategies are listed below:

1. To enhance the capacity of the Mental Health coordinating unit, thereby improving mechanisms for coordination, collaboration and monitoring of all mental health related activities.

1. Strengthen the national mental health coordinating unit at the MOHSW.
2. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the mental health policy and plan.

2. To sensitize the various communities about mental health and illness, and through various behavior change communication programs, modify negative perceptions about the mentally ill, thereby minimizing stigmatization and negative behaviors towards the mentally ill.

3. Raise awareness and reduce negative perceptions about those suffering from mental and substance abuse disorders through the use of advocacy and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategies.

iii. To increase the number and improve the level of current work force in mental health at all levels of mental health service provision

4. Strengthen the mental health in-service training module for all PHC workers on primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
5. Strengthen pre-service curricula of mental health for schools of medicine, nursing, midwifery, physician assistants and social work
6. Provide opportunities for specialized training for health workers including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and social workers.

iv. To improve the accessibility and availability of quality mental health treatment and services including substance abuse management to all persons at all levels of health care provision

7. Improve the availability, accessibility, distribution and utilization of cost-effective psychotropic medication.
8. Create one in-patient (Wellness Unit) and one out-patient unit at each county hospital in each of the fifteen counties within the next five years
9. Upgrade the capability and capacity of the J.F.K.’s Mental Health Department to provide tertiary mental health and referral specialist hospital.
10. To develop, ensure and strengthen sustainable structures and an enabling environment conducive for the positive mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of children and adolescents

v. To establish well defined and delineated mechanisms for the review and conduct of mental health related research activities in the country.

11. Establish a Center of Excellence in collaboration with licensing boards and clinical, learning and training institutions – to provide (a) guidelines standardization for and growth in number of mental health workers; and (b) international evidence based practice in mental health education, training, treatment, research and setting of standards in mental health care and practice

vi. To ensure the promotion and protection of the rights of people with mental illnesses by establishing safeguard against violations of human rights and dignity.

12. Provide basic mental health services to all persons compulsorily detained within the criminal justice system
13. Develop mental health legislation for the Republic of Liberia that is consistent with relevant international standards.

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