The Need
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health concern, with the World Health Organization estimating that 45.2% of people with TB also experience depression. Social challenges such as stigma, discrimination, isolation, and lack of support further impact the well-being of affected individuals. In many settings, limited knowledge of mental health among TB case managers at the primary care level hinders the integration of mental health services into TB care. This is especially critical in Southeast Asia, which accounts for 43% of the global TB burden, highlighting the urgent need for more inclusive and integrated health service delivery.
The Intervention
The project integrates mental health services into tuberculosis (TB) care in Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines. The intervention aims to improve treatment outcomes across all forms of TB by addressing patients’ mental health needs and generating evidence for wider adoption in Asia. ASSIST provides coordination, facilitation, technical assistance, and data analysis and reporting to support implementation. Key activities include developing an operational platform for integrating mental health into primary, secondary, and community-based care; creating a TB and mental health workforce development plan; promoting digital health innovations; strengthening community awareness; piloting integrated TB–mental health services; and establishing monitoring and evaluation systems for timely and effective reporting within TB care settings.
Country:
Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia
SDGs
Key Priority Area/s:
Health & Sanitation Skills
Education & Entrepeneurship
Donor:
USAID
Partners:
Yayasan Project Hope
Coordination Established
Multistakeholder coordination mechanism set up to align roles across TB and mental health integration
Goals Achieved:
Training Model Developed
Training model and module developed for TB and mental health integration with USAID TB LON
Goals Achieved:
eHealth Tools Assessed
Existing digital technologies and eHealth tools evaluated within TB and mental health care systems
Goals Achieved:
Baseline Documented
Assessment tools developed, baseline data collected, and findings disseminated at district level
Goals Achieved:
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