Nigeria-American Institute to Launch WHO Mental Health Training Program in 2025

Post Date : December 18, 2024

The Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health (NAIMH), based in Abuja, will roll out a World Health Organisation (WHO) Mental Health Gap Action Programme (MH-GAP) training initiative in 2025. The program aims to equip community health workers and other stakeholders in Nigeria with skills to identify, manage, and refer mental health conditions effectively.

In a statement, the institute’s Board of Trustees Secretary, Azubike Aliche, outlined the program’s focus on addressing conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and suicide ideation. The training will target primary health extension workers, social workers, nurses, schoolteachers, and hospital staff, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The initiative will unfold in phases, starting with Abia, Anambra, and Enugu states in its first year, followed by Ebonyi and Imo states. Each phase will train 25 master trainers who will cascade the knowledge to 150 community health workers across five local governments in each participating state. Training will be conducted both onsite and virtually using the WHO MH-GAP training manual.

To adapt the program to Nigeria’s needs, NAIMH will incorporate support services, awareness campaigns, and measures to expand the country’s mental health workforce. The program also aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness and improve access to quality mental healthcare for local communities.

Established in May 2022 as an NGO, NAIMH has been at the forefront of promoting mental health education and services in Nigeria. Sponsored by the Nigerian Mental Health Practitioners USA Inc. (NMHPUSA), the institute focuses on manpower development, research, and psychoeducation to bridge the gap between mental health service demand and available resources in the country.

NAIMH functions as the operational hub for NMHPUSA’s initiatives in Nigeria. Its efforts are bolstered by Nigerian mental health practitioners based in the United States, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Through its programs, NAIMH aims to enhance psychological well-being and expand the reach of mental health services across Nigeria.

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