Webinar title: Diagnosis and Management of Priority Mental, Neurological and Substance Use Disorders in Primary Health Care using the mhGAP-IG
This webinar introduces participants to the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) as a practical tool for strengthening mental health care in primary health settings. It focuses on the diagnosis and management of priority mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders, equipping frontline health workers with evidence-based approaches to assessment, decision-making, and care delivery. Through interactive discussions and case-based learning, participants will gain skills to recognize common MNS conditions, provide basic interventions, and know when to refer, with the overall aim of improving access to quality mental health care in resource-limited contexts.
Speaker: Dr Mary Bitta
Dr. Mary Bitta is a Kenyan implementation scientist in mental and brain health, passionate about closing the treatment gap for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders in low-resource settings. She earned her PhD in Psychiatry from the University of Oxford, MSc in Global Mental Health from King’s College London, and BSc in Nursing from the University of Nairobi. Currently a Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School and postdoctoral researcher at Aga Khan University, she develops culturally sensitive, stigma-reducing interventions using participatory methods such as music, dance, and radio. She also founded Difu Simo, a Kenyan non-profit advancing community mental health advocacy.
Objectives:
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Enhance knowledge of the WHO mhGAP-IG framework and its application in diagnosing and managing priority mental, neurological, and substance use disorders in primary health care.
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Strengthen skills in identifying common MNS conditions, providing evidence-based interventions, and making appropriate referrals within resource-limited settings.
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Promote integration of mental health care into primary health systems by equipping providers with practical tools to reduce the treatment gap and improve patient outcomes.
Date: Thursday, 16th of October 2025
Time: 3.00 PM CAT
Duration: 60 min
CPD Points: 1