Programmes that bring mental health services to primary care populations in the international setting

The last decade has witnessed an exponential growth of evidence-based care packages for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders (MNS) aimed at primary care populations; however, few have been taken to scale. Several barriers to successful integration and scale-up, such as low acceptability, poor clinical engagement process, lack of targeted resources, and poor stakeholder and policy support have been cited. This review describes and highlights common features of some of the promising programmes that deliver mental health services through primary health clinics, communities, and digital platforms, with an emphasis on those that show some evidence of complete or partial scale-up. Three distinct overarching themes and initiatives are discussed in relation to the above; primary health facilities, community (outside of primary healthcare), and digital/internet-based platforms, with a focus on how the three may interact synergistically to enhance successful integration and scale-up.