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Community Mental Health Journal

Open Access 27-09-2024 | Original Paper

Development and Implementation of Mental Healthcare Plans in Three Districts in Ghana: A Mixed-Method Process Evaluation Using Theory of Change

Authors: Kenneth A. Ae-Ngibise, L. Sakyi, L. Adwan-Kamara, T.D. Cooper, B. Weobong, C. Lund

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal

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Abstract

In Ghana, a severe mental healthcare gap of 95–98% exists due to limited services. Ghana Somubi Dwumadie set out to address this by developing district mental healthcare plans (DMHPs) in three demonstration districts. Following the Programme for Improving Mental Healthcare model, district mental health operations teams were formed and used Theory of Change (ToC) to develop DMHPs. Key elements included training non-specialist health workers and enrolling individuals in relevant healthcare programmes. Evaluation methods included routine data, health facility surveys, and qualitative analysis within the ToC framework. Results showed improved integration of mental health services, enhanced case management through training, and increased service utilisation, shown through 691 service user enrollments. However, there was limited commitment of new resources and no significant improvement in primary care workers’ capacity to detect priority mental health conditions. The study concludes that DMHPs, implemented with an integrated approach, can improve mental health service utilisation, contingent on committed leadership, resource availability, and stakeholder engagement.
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Metadata
Title
Development and Implementation of Mental Healthcare Plans in Three Districts in Ghana: A Mixed-Method Process Evaluation Using Theory of Change
Authors
Kenneth A. Ae-Ngibise
L. Sakyi
L. Adwan-Kamara
T.D. Cooper
B. Weobong
C. Lund
Publication date
27-09-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Community Mental Health Journal
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-024-01357-5