Kingston, Jamaica, March, 2024 (PAHO) – Approximately 20 trainees gathered on March for a capacity-building session centered on Ensuring Quality in Psychological Support (EQUIP), organized by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). Dr. James Underhill from WHO led the three-hour workshop aimed at bolstering the skills of helpers and elevating the consistency and quality of training and service delivery.
EQUIP will play a pivotal role in evaluating Problem Management Plus (PM+) competencies during the program’s implementation in Jamaica. Since its establishment in July 2022, 55 supervisors and 212 providers from over 20 faith-based and community-based organizations have received training and extended support to at least 45 individuals within the community. Furthermore, efforts are underway to enhance the capabilities of existing community workers.
Studies have underscored the effectiveness of non-specialists in administering psychological interventions, provided they undergo adequate training and supervision. It is anticipated that supervisors and providers who engaged in the workshop will be better equipped to incorporate competency measures into the PM+ program. Competency-based training methodologies have previously yielded positive outcomes in various healthcare domains, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
The training will serve as a platform for discussing current strengths, identifying potentially detrimental behaviors, and delineating areas for enhancement during the PM+ program rollout. Existing training and supervision schemes will be tailored to ensure the delivery of higher-quality support.
PM+ stands as a scalable community intervention developed by the World Health Organization, employing a problem-solving approach to aid individuals in managing adversity and daily challenges. Through engagement and empowerment, community members are equipped with the necessary tools to provide support to those grappling with coping difficulties.
