PROMOTION OF MENTAL HEALTH AS A FUNCTION OF DIFFERENT SERVICE AGENCIES

INTRODUCTION: There is a reliable evidence that personnel working in a variety of settings beyond mainstream mental health services can make an important contribution to the prevention of mental health problems. AIM: To assess the ability of personnel in different sectors including schools, school health unit and Primary Health Care (PHC) centers to recognize the risks and signs of deteriorating mental health among vulnerable people. The roles played by these personnel in the area of mental health were also defined. METHODS: A descriptive approach was used to carry out this study in different service agencies located in Abha region. These included female secondary schools, female school health units and all PHC centers. Questionnaires were mailed to teachers, physicians and nurses. The questionnaires contained queries about warning signs of poor mental health and high-risk groups for mental disorders. RESULTS: It was shown that 50% of school teachers in the sample were good at picking up signs of mental distress while others felt that they did not have the skills in this field nor was it their role to do so. The majority of physicians and nurses (66.03%) in school health unit and PHC centers identify family problems as predictor of mental disorders. From the stand point of the primary care provided by health centers, early diagnosis of cases and provision of treatment were considered unimportant compared to the role of case referral as stated by 15.38% and 53.84% of workers, respectively. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that the role of these services be expanded to develop skills in dealing with common mental problems.