Professional development for Mental Health staff in the North

The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists in collaboration with The Asia Foundation Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted its second Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme for Medical Officers of Mental Health (MOMH) and Diplomates working in the Northern Province on July 18 and 19.

This programme is part of an on-going series of targeted trainings in Continuing Professional Development Provincial level and is led by the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists. It was one of the first of its kind to be conducted in Jaffna with the support from both Regional and Colombo based Consultant Psychiatrists.

Designed based on a survey conducted to better understand the needs of MOMHs and Diplomates, the programme included sessions on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of substance use disorders, responding to trauma and healing the hurt and issues in relation to child mental health and the role of family in the management of those with mental health problems.

The programme was chaired by the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists' President Dr. Usha Gunawardena. The Health Services Regional Director Jaffna Dr. A. Ketheswaran also participated.

Sixteen MOMHs and Diplomates invited by the College of Psychiatrists from Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts and five Demonstrators (Psychiatry) from the Jaffna Teaching Hospital and the District General Hospital, Kilinochchi participated in the programme.

The CPD programme in Jaffna was funded by the European Union and the US Agency for International Development through VSO and The Asia Foundation respectively.