Keywords: Primary care, depression management, mental health policy, family doctor

Background:

In the Republic of Georgia, depression remains a significant public health challenge, with prevalence rates estimated between 5% and 15% in the general population. Primary care providers are important in recognizing and management of depression. While mental health services have historically been centralized in psychiatric institutions, the Government of Georgia’s Mental Health Strategy 2022–2030 emphasizes a shift toward deinstitutionalization and the integration of mental health into primary care.

Research questions:

Our research studies the efficacy of the "Family Doctor" model in managing depression and identifies systemic barriers to care.

Method:

This study synthesizes data from the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) and recent qualitative reviews of the Georgian primary healthcare system.

Results:

Current findings indicate that while primary care providers (PCPs) are the first point of contact for the majority of patients, significant gaps still remain.
​Barriers to Care: High levels of social stigma and a lack of public awareness contribute to a 38% non-treatment rate among those meeting diagnostic criteria.
​Another reason is a lack of confidence in PHC institutions, often attributed to the "Family Doctor" institute being underdeveloped relative to international standards. Recent budget increases on mental health in Georgia, have improved medication supply in community settings, yet referral rates to outpatient facilities remain lower than European averages.

Conclusions:

The integration of depression care into Georgia’s primary health system is in a transitional phase. Success depends on moving beyond simple pharmacotherapy toward a biopsychosocial model that includes psychotherapy and social support. In order to improve outcomes, Georgia must focus on specialized training for PCPs, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health diagnoses, and ensuring that newly established data registries do not compromise patient trust.

Points for discussion:

What are main barriers to implement mental health care in primary care in Georgia

Which types of trainings and workshops are required for family doctors?