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Development of the first telepsychology initiative in Haiti in response to COVID-19

Wismick Jean-Charles (Centre de Spiritualite et de Sante Mentale (CESSA), Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
Jocelyn Shealy McGee (Garland School of Social Work, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA)
Marie Judith Jean-Baptiste (Pontificia Facoltà di Scienze dell’Educazione, Rome, Italy)
Vanessa Irlande Joseph (Centre de Spiritualite et de Sante Mentale (CESSA), Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
Doris Gracita Rouzier (Centre de Spiritualite et de Sante Mentale (CESSA), Port-au-Prince, Haiti)

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

ISSN: 1755-6228

Article publication date: 21 February 2022

Issue publication date: 17 March 2022

49

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and implementation of the first telepsychology initiative in Haiti. Haiti is the world’s first black-led republic. It is also the only nation established by slave revolt and the first independent Caribbean state. In this case study, the development and pilot implementation of the first telepsychology initiative in the country of Haiti is described. The initiative was designed to provide psychoeducational and emotional support to community members and frontline health workers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in this under-resourced country.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-stakeholder approach was used and brought together local, national and international partners from governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as the academic community. Program data was collected from May 2020 through November 2021. The initiative was implemented across four regions of Haiti: Nord, Artibonite, Reste-Quest and Sud.

Findings

A total of 701 individuals received telepsychology services. More community members participated (n = 508 sessions) than frontline health workers (n = 193 sessions). Service utilization ranged from one to four counseling sessions. Initial data suggest that telepsychology is a potentially acceptable and feasible option to increase access to mental health services in Haiti. Significant logistical and cultural concerns must be taken into consideration to refine services.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the telepsychology initiative is the first of its kind and may serve as an exemplar for other similar countries with limited mental health resources. The authors provide information on successes, barriers and lessons learned as well as recommendations for enhancing services.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Author notes: The authors have no conflicts of interests to disclose. This article was based on program evaluation information as the source for a case study and was not considered research.

Citation

Jean-Charles, W., McGee, J.S., Jean-Baptiste, M.J., Joseph, V.I. and Rouzier, D.G. (2022), "Development of the first telepsychology initiative in Haiti in response to COVID-19", The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 110-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-07-2021-0079

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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