A one-day workshop was held at Kailali district on 23 February 2022 to collect feedback on the mhGAP (Mental Health Gap Action Programme) Community Toolkit developed by World Health Organization (WHO). The workshop was conducted by TPO Alliance in coordination with TPO Nepal. A total of 20 participants including teachers, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), police, and community-based psychosocial workers (CPSWs) participated in the workshop.

Firstly, Dr. Kamal Gautam, Executive Manager of TPO Nepal, gave a presentation. His presentation highlighted topics such as mental health, available services, mhGAP, community toolkit, and the toolkit modules. After the presentation, participants were divided into five groups to discuss on the toolkit modules and make a presentation on the feedback collected by the group.

After the group work, the first group (FCHVs) gave their presentation on Module 1 of the toolkit. Overall, they found the module good as it covered important topics such as reduction of stigma and discrimination, talking to people with mental health problems, and awareness raising. However, they highlighted that the module was easy to read for well-read people but the local community people with little education could find it harder to read. They also recommended making posters, pamphlets, and flipcharts for use in the community and adding mother’s group meeting and street drama as possible activities for raising awareness about mental health in the community.

The second presentation was given by the police group on Module 2 of the toolkit. They recommended adding substance use and cybercrime leading to suicide within the module. The module was also easy for them to read but they recommended conducting awareness programs based on the different needs of different communities. Likewise, the third presentation given by the group of teachers focused on the effectiveness of the module in the recovery and rehabilitation of people living with mental health problems. The group shared that the module was relevant and useful and the content was organized appropriately.

 Similarly, the fourth group (social workers) gave their presentation on Module 4. This group found the module to be appropriate for the community but they requested the toolkit to be translated in different local languages for the ease of reading. They also requested an orientation on the toolkit for the locally elected representatives for the sustainability of mental health programs in the community. Finally, the last group of health workers gave their feedback on Module 5 of the toolkit. “Overall, this module is appropriate for health workers because it talks about working with children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, senior citizens, and people in emergencies”, said one of the presenters of the group.

In this workshop, health workers and teachers focused on the positive aspects of the toolkit while the other groups gave feedback on the aspects to improve.