# How can mental health care be integrated into primary health care?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-mental-health-care-be-integrated-into-primary-health-care
For: Executives | Mental health practice | Reviewed by Independent clinical reviewer, Registered mental health clinician, Kenya | Last reviewed 8 November 2026

**Answer:** WHO recommends providing most mental health care through primary care, with trained non-specialist staff supported by specialists who take referrals and send patients back. The mhGAP programme provides intervention guides, training and an operations manual for district managers. Kenya's Mental Health Action Plan aimed to integrate mental health into primary care in all counties, and the Primary Health Care Act 2023 creates primary care networks and community health promoters that can support this. Start with a facility situation analysis.

Sources: WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean: https://applications.emro.who.int/docs/9789292740924-eng.pdf - World Health Organization: https://qualityhealthservices.who.int/quality-toolkit/qt-catalog-item/mhgap-operations-manual - Ministry of Health: https://www.mntrh.go.ke/sites/default/files/2024-10/kenya_mental_health_action_plan__2021-2025_.pdf - Pharmacy and Poisons Board (copy of Act): https://www.pck.go.ke/sites/default/files/PCK/Resouces/The%20Primary%20Health%20Act%2C%202023.pdf

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