October 13, 2025
News
Low public awareness of mental health and widespread societal stigma continue to prevent many people in Georgia from seeking timely support from mental health professionals. At the same time, the country’s healthcare system faces challenges such as the low prioritisation of mental health issues, underdeveloped services, and limited public access to care.
To improve access to mental health services and address these challenges, Caritas Czech Republic is carrying out a project supported by the European Union and the Government of France. The project aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals working in primary care, with a particular focus on mental health. By equipping primary care doctors to confidently manage mild mental health conditions and identify more severe cases for timely referral, the initiative aims to strengthen the overall mental health support system and bring quality care closer to communities.
Why is integrating mental health services into primary healthcare important, and what is the EU-supported project doing to promote this? We discussed these questions with Dr. Nino Okhribelashvili, Doctor of Medical Sciences, psychiatrist, and project expert.
What does mental health mean, and why is it important?
Mental health is a crucial aspect of well-being, yet it remains a low priority within Georgia’s healthcare system. One of the main obstacles is stigma, which often discourages patients from seeking help. Additionally, many people lack awareness about recognising symptoms, leading some to consult mental health specialists only when their condition has become chronic.
It is essential to understand that mental health is not the absence of mental health problems. Instead, it refers to a person’s ability to function well — to learn, work, maintain relationships, and actively participate in society.
Why is the integration of mental health into primary healthcare important?
In a society where stigma prevails, it is even more challenging for individuals to seek help from mental health specialists directly. Patients are more likely to approach primary healthcare providers and less likely to access specialised mental health services. By equipping primary healthcare doctors with the necessary knowledge, practical skills, experience, and appropriate guidelines, and supporting their efforts to reach a broader population, mental health services can be significantly improved.
Moreover, due to the shortage of mental health specialists, primary healthcare providers will be able to manage mild cases within their own practices.
How is Caritas Czech Republic advancing the goals supported by the EU and France through its ongoing initiatives?
The project by Caritas Czech Republic, in collaboration with the Georgian Society of Psychiatrists and primary healthcare specialists, focuses on developing clinical guidelines, protocols, and manuals for primary healthcare doctors. To date, ten clinical protocols have been developed, and dozens of doctors have undergone relevant training.
The first phase involved training trainers among primary healthcare specialists, who then shared their knowledge with colleagues in regional areas — those directly serving patients. Notably, for the first time, the protocols incorporated a gender component. For example, the postpartum care protocol was expanded to address depressive conditions in men related to the arrival of a newborn and its impact on mental health.
Supervision is also a crucial component of the project. These protocols include evaluation mechanisms to assess how effectively doctors conduct screenings and how accurately they refer patients to the appropriate specialists based on the results of these screenings.
It is also worth noting that, thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, the healthcare system is beginning to integrate telemedicine into mental health services. This represents a significant advancement, as telemedicine enhances access to mental health care for populations living in geographically remote areas.
Integrating mental health into primary healthcare marks an important step forward in addressing challenges related to mental health service delivery in Georgia. By raising public awareness, enhancing specialist knowledge, and expanding access to services, this initiative provides vital support to individuals facing mental health challenges.
The EU-funded project “Strengthening Human Capital Development in Georgia” aims to improve health, social protection, and gender equality in Georgia. The project is implemented by Expertise France in cooperation with Caritas Czech Republic.
This article has been produced with the support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Caritas Czech Republic and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
