Welcome to the 21st WCP Virtual Congress Program Scheduling

The treatment gap for people with mental disorders reaches more than 75% in many low and middle income countries (LMIC). In many of these countries there aren’t enough human resources specialized in mental health so a strategy of task-shifting is the only alternative. Task shifting remains the leading approach in tems of care for people with severe and common mental disorders (SCMD). The key elements of task-shifting model for SCMD (that must be assured) are: 1. Training and continued supportive supervision (provided by a clinically competent clinician); 2. Clear implementation strategy including referral pathways; 3. Reliable supply of psychotropic drugs; 4. Availability of non-pharmacological interventions; 5. Consideration and respect of cultural context and practices. Several studies have shown the main challenges associated with this approach, and drawn recommendations for its succesful implementation. In particular, mhGAP-IG has been widely taken up by clinicians, health authorities, trainers, educators and academics in a range of LMICs. MSF works mainly in LMICs, routinely utilizing task-shifting to provide care to people with SCMD. Security and logistic constraints, recently aggravated by movement restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, makes face to face training and supervision sometimes impossible. MSF has therefore developed experience in providing these key components remotely. Different models of training and supervision with their advantages and challenges will be presented: face to face (Colombia), remote training and supervision (Middle East) and face to face training followed up by remote supervision (Mexico, Honduras).