Integration of mental health care in primary care services is important in ensuring accessible, affordable and acceptable services to people with mental health problems and their families. Despite the accumulated evidence around the need and mechanisms for appropriate inclusion of mental health care as a core element of primary care, it remains a largely unrealized goal in many countries and therefore a key driver of the enormous treatment gap that exists today for persons with mental, neurological and substance use disorders.
The actions required to support integration of mental health services in primary care include: strengthening governance and policy; empowering and engaging individuals and community; redesigning the model of care; creating an enabling environment.
