Highlights COVID-19 Pandemic has heralded a wave of mental health concerns. Using technology optimally is one way of cutting across barriers to reach out to distressed individuals. Psychological First Aid can be provided via tele-mental health services. This is the first attempt at addressing psychosocial needs of the general population in the times of COVID-19 by providing psychosocial support using the means of a tele-helpline

Economic analysis of mental health care in low-income countries is feasible and practicable. Our assessment of the cost-effectiveness of integrating mental health into primary care was confounded by the naturalistic study design and the low proportion of subjects using government primary health care services.

The use (and therefore effectiveness) of mental health services integrated into primary care is influenced by the health-seeking behaviours and perceptions of the local population. Efforts to integrate mental health into primary care need to be accompanied by educational activities in order to increase awareness, reduce stigma and draw attention to the availability of effective treatment.

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Efforts to organize community-based care such as outreach services for people with schizophrenia living in more remote areas of resource-constrained countries can bring substantial benefits to patients and families alike.