Abstract Developing effective learning strategies to strengthen mental health professionals’ capacities and deliver evidence-based interventions in their communities is urgent. We developed and evaluated an online training program for the Intervention Guide for Mental, Neurological and Substance Use Disorders in Non-specialized Health Settings. Nine hundred and seventy-five health professionals in Mexico were enrolled in the training program, during the period of social distancing brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed a pre-post online evaluation strategy including Knowledge screening, assessment of Learning Activities, and performance in Programmed-Simulated cases to evaluate knowledge and skills for the assessment, management, and follow-up of Mental, Neurological and Substance Use Disorders. We found that participants improved their knowledge and skills from training on the mhGAP online course. Notably we observed these positive results regardless of sex, profession, institution, or social vulnerability rating of participants, suggesting that this is a relevant training program for primary care staff. These results contribute to the Mental Health Gap Action Programme and advance the use of online teaching and evaluation technologies in this field.

Resumen El desarrollo de estrategias efectivas de aprendizaje para fortalecer las competencias de los profesionales de la salud mental y brindar intervenciones basadas en evidencia en sus comunidades es necesario. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue desarrollar y evaluar un programa de entrenamiento en línea para la Guía de Intervención en Trastornos Mentales, Neurológicos y por Uso de Sustancias en nivel de atención de salud no especializada. Participaron 975 profesionales de la salud mexicanos durante el período de distanciamiento social provocado por la pandemia de COVID-19. Los participantes completaron una evaluación previa y posterior que incluyó un cuestionario de conocimientos, actividades de aprendizaje y la ejecución en casos simulados programados para evaluar el conocimiento y las habilidades para la evaluación, el manejo y el seguimiento de los trastornos mentales, neurológicos y por uso de sustancias. Los resultados indicaron que los participantes mejoraron sus conocimientos y habilidades en función de su participación en el curso en línea, independientemente del sexo, la profesión, la institución o la vulnerabilidad social de los participantes, sugiriendo que se trata de un programa de formación relevante para el personal de atención primaria. Los resultados contribuyen al Programa de Acción para la Brecha de Salud Mental y promueven el uso de tecnologías de evaluación y enseñanza en línea en este campo.

O trabalho mostra estratégias de construir espaços saudáveis por meio de uma parceria estabelecida entre OPAS, Unicamp, IPES e Comunidades/Cidades. Um dos projetos ocorrem em Campinas (SP), em uma região formada por bairros carentes, onde está sendo implantado o projeto Comunidade Saudável e outro, envolve mais de 18 municípios que se constituem a Rede de Municípios Potencialmente Saudáveis. O exercício de implantação desses projetos tem sido um aprendizado coletivo, pois professores, representantes dos serviços públicos, outras organizações e comunidades/municípios devem rever objetivos e desejos na direção do saudável.

The work shows the strategies to building healthy spaces that have been developed by a partnership between the PAHO, a University (UNICAMP) and IPES. These projects are being developed in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. One of these experiences is happening in Campinas, in a region formed by poor neighborhoods, where it is being built the Healthy Community Project. The other involves more than eighteen Counties that form the Potentially Healthy Counties Network. The exercise of implanting these projects is being not only a collective, but also continuing learning, because teachers, representers of the public services, other organizations and communities/counties must review wishes and purposes in the direction of the healthy life.

O trabalho mostra estratégias de construir espaços saudáveis por meio de uma parceria estabelecida entre OPAS, Unicamp, IPES e Comunidades/Cidades. Um dos projetos ocorrem em Campinas (SP), em uma região formada por bairros carentes, onde está sendo implantado o projeto Comunidade Saudável e outro, envolve mais de 18 municípios que se constituem a Rede de Municípios Potencialmente Saudáveis. O exercício de implantação desses projetos tem sido um aprendizado coletivo, pois professores, representantes dos serviços públicos, outras organizações e comunidades/municípios devem rever objetivos e desejos na direção do saudável.

The work shows the strategies to building healthy spaces that have been developed by a partnership between the PAHO, a University (UNICAMP) and IPES. These projects are being developed in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. One of these experiences is happening in Campinas, in a region formed by poor neighborhoods, where it is being built the Healthy Community Project. The other involves more than eighteen Counties that form the Potentially Healthy Counties Network. The exercise of implanting these projects is being not only a collective, but also continuing learning, because teachers, representers of the public services, other organizations and communities/counties must review wishes and purposes in the direction of the healthy life.