Training mental health professionals from Haiti post-earthquake

The Montreal WHOCC coordinated and supervised a training program of a small number of Haitian health professionals from Haiti. This mental health training program including clinical, theoretical and public health issues relating to mental health and to disasters.

Over the period of 2012-13, the Montreal WHO-PAHO-CC oversaw the training of 5 Haitian general physicians who were invited under the aegis of the CC. Their wish was to complete extra training in 'mental health and illness'. They were posted in several different clinical settings where they acquired experience in diagnosing and managing mental disorders, in understanding the interfaces between human rights and mental health, in understanding the place of recovery interventions, and in working in interprofessional settings.

The trainings were highly successful and met with further requests by colleagues.