The Development of the mhGAP Clinical and Administrative Support and Supervision Protocol for the Philippines is an ongoing project that provides technical assistance to strengthen the country’s mental health workforce. The initiative is grounded in the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) framework, which supports the integration of mental health into primary care and other community-based health services.

Why This Matters

While mhGAP training has equipped many health providers with essential knowledge and skills, there is a need for standardized supervision protocols to ensure that what is learned in training is effectively translated into sustained clinical practice. Supervision plays a critical role in reinforcing competencies, addressing challenges in real-world settings, and ensuring that mental health care delivery remains ethical, compassionate, and person-centered.

Project Objectives

The project aims to develop a comprehensive supervision protocol tailored to the Philippine context. Specifically, the supervision framework is designed to:

• Improve knowledge and ensure its practical application in assessing and managing individuals with mental health conditions, including complex cases.

• Enhance skills for carrying out routine clinical tasks with confidence and accuracy.

• Strengthen professional attitudes by fostering motivation, ethical practice, professionalism, and compassion in delivering mental health care.

Expected Outcomes

By standardizing both clinical and administrative supportive supervision, the project seeks to provide a clear structure for post-training support of health workers. This will contribute to:

• Higher quality of mental health services across different levels of care.

• Better alignment between training, practice, and health system needs.

• Sustainable improvements in the delivery of mental health services in the Philippines.

This initiative marks an important step toward building a more effective, coordinated, and resilient mental health system—one where health workers are supported not only in training, but throughout their practice, for the benefit of the communities they serve.