Psychiatric Bulletin (2009) 33: 181-183. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.108.020487
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Developing a child and adolescent mental health service in a low-income country: a global partnership model

Amina Tareen, Research Associate

Human Development Research Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan, and Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust, London, UK

Ilyas Mirza, Principal Research Scientist

*Human Development Research Foundation, Islamabad, and HEC Foreign Professor of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Murree Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, email: iqmirza{at}gmail.com

Ayesha Minhas, Consultant Psychiatrist

WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Rawalpindi Medical College, Pakistan

Fareed Minhas, Professor of Psychiatry and Director

WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Rawalpindi Medical College, Pakistan

Atif Rahman, Professor of Child Psychiatry

University of Liverpool, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK

Declaration of interest

A.T. and I.M. were supported by NIH grant R21 TW 07554 through Fogarty International Center’s (of the USA National Institute of Health) Brain Disorders Program to build Sustainable Research and Development Capacity in Low and Middle Income Countries.

AIMS AND METHOD

To develop a child and adolescent mental health service in a low-income country. This was a collaborative effort involving governmental and non-governmental organisations in the UK and Pakistan, where a training clinic was established.

RESULTS

We assessed and treated 169 children and adolescents. A team of mental health professionals was trained, including one consultant psychiatrist; the consultant psychiatrist is now leading the clinic. Links were further developed with healthcare, social care and educational organisations, as well as efforts made to engage the public in relation to child and adolescent mental health.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Our development highlights a model of research collaboration and service development which may be sustainable in low-income settings. Such initiatives need support from a variety of organisations. There is a need to consider whether there should be a formal funding mechanism to support the Royal College of Psychiatrists Senior Volunteer Programme.