Towards community care: Qatar's rapidly evolving mental health landscape

Abstract

An undercurrent of change is occurring in Qatar's approach towards mental healthcare. In the past 5 years, significant attention has been given to community care initiatives. There is much progress to be made, but the provision of psychiatric support outside of hospitals, the launch of several community services and the tackling of the associated social stigma represent a marked step away from the norm that has usually pervaded in the region. This article analyses these changes and identifies the challenges that remain.

Psychiatry in Qatar

“…The strategy later developed into the National Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategic Framework 2019–2022 and the broader Qatar National Health Strategy 2018–2022. 3…”

“…2 Since then, there has been a steady progression of services to meet international standards for mental healthcare delivery. Although traditional healing remains a choice for many, there is an increasing awareness of the 3 The Qatari government has launched various initiatives, including public education campaigns and training programmes for healthcare professionals. In addition, Qatar has become a hub for mental health research and innovation.…”

Analysis of the mental health service provision in Qatar: Progressing in community mental health in a Middle East country

“…In this framework, the Qatar's National Mental Health Strategy (2013-2018) (1), the National Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategic Framework 2019-2022 (2), and the National Health Strategy (2018-2022) (3) aimed to make the transition from the traditional hospital-based psychiatric care to a community-based care, building an integrated and comprehensive mental health system. Furthermore, in 2016 a Law on Rights of Patients with Mental Illness was adopted to regulate the care, treatment and rights of patients with mental disorders (4), but it has not been implemented yet (5). This set of laws and regulations, along with previous policies (6), place Qatar at the front of mental health planning in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO).…”

“…However, some challenges raised in the literature (5,8,9) include: insufficient training and lack of motivation of the primary care workforce; limited availability of mental health services and professionals, especially psychologists, nurses, and social workers, and a high degree of stigma that limits mental healthcare seeking behavior. Delays and organizational challenges are associated with implementing the mental health law.…”