Doha: Mental health is integral to a person’s overall wellbeing, and mental wellbeing is the key to leading a fulfilling life, according to Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) official.
Thus, PHCC has proactively implemented the ‘Family Medicine Model’ at all its health centres which ensures that patients can have private, direct and easy access to mental health services.
“As a first point of contact for patients and caregivers, the primary health care centres play a very important role in providing support. PHCC infrastructure of providing dedicated family physicians has helped create an environment that is conducive for patients to access mental health support where they are assured of maintaining confidentiality as well as receiving comprehensive health care,” said Executive Director of Operations at PHCC and Deputy National Lead for Mental Health & Well being, Dr. Samya Al Abdulla.
Since April 2020, PHCC Psychology Support clinics delivered 422 telephone consultations and 123 face-to-face appointments, whereby the Integrated Psychiatry service delivered 74 telephone consultations and 104 face-to-face appointments. This is in addition to 827 PHCC nursing staff completing mental health and psychosocial assessment training as of September 2020.
Primary care psychologists have also been supporting the National Mental Health helpline alongside HMC to ensure that the people of Qatar can be provided care via immediate telephone consultation on any concerns that they may have relating to their mental health & wellbeing.
PHCC has also established ‘Regional Support Clinics’ (primarily psychology services) at Rawdat Al Khail, Lebaib, Al Thumama, Al Wajba and Qatar University Health Centers.
Patients with mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety are referred by the Family Physicians to clinical psychologists for assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
Mental health social workers are also available to provide specialised support alongside the psychologists.
PHCC has implemented ‘Integrated Psychiatry’ services at Al Thumama, Qatar University and Al Wajba Health Centers. The service provides consultant-based comprehensive mental health assessments, diagnosis and treatment plans for patients that are generally referred to HMC Psychiatry Hospital.
