Educational Needs for Implementing Iran’s Comprehensive Mental and Social Health Services at the District Level

A national program on providing comprehensive social and mental health services, entitled “SERAJ”, was developed and piloted in three districts of Iran. The present study aims to thoroughly explain the educational needs for implementing the provision of comprehensive mental and social health services in districts of Iran (SERAJ).

In this study, we have interviewed service providers, held focused group discussions (FGDs) and used the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) model for analyzing the duties of the service providers.

To implement SERAJ, Mental and Social Health Professionals and Healthcare professionals should be trained on various contents in the fields of mental health, social health, and addiction to provide ‎primary care services in Iran. Such training materials and schedules are necessary for providing secondary, and community action care ‎services as well.

The educational program resulting from this study should be piloted and after removing the barriers and solving the limitations, it should be expanded throughout the country.