Development of human resources and international cooperation in mental health are one of the most important activities implemented by our Center. Eleven representatives from the Center as well as from other psychiatric institutions took part in the 4th International Summer Course on Research Methodology in Health Sciences supported in part by the Fogarty International Center / NIH 1R25TW009248 Research Ethics Initiative grant, which was given by professors of Boston Children’s Hospital, Division of Developmental Medicine Harvard University. The program director is professor Kerim Munir.

In May 2013 the NMHC organized training on Diagnostics and Treatment of Psychoses which was given by the leading professors from Turkish academic psychiatric institutions. Psychiatrists from various facilities including those working in the regions of the country participated in this training.

In February 2014 the Center invited professors Pamela J. Wright-Etter (University of South Carolina School of Medicine) и Kevin M. Etter (Bill Hefner Veterans Administration Medical Center Charlotte, North Carolina) to give workshops and lections on neurobiological aspects of Psychiatry. Early career psychiatrists had an opportunity to take part in real patients’ examination made by the American professors (see photos).

In December 2013 the Ministry of Health requested training on the Mental Health Law and patients’ rights protection for the administration of mental hospitals. Success of this training has promoted developing further trainings for all psychiatrists working in in-patient facilities. Starting from August 2014 these psychiatrists are able to take part in the training which is conducted every Saturday. 

In July 2014 the NMHC conducted two-day trainings for two groups of MoH specialists working on the hotline. In the course of the trainings the issues related to crisis intervention, first psychological aid, stress management and teamwork have been discussed. The important outcome of the training was strengthening cooperation between the hotline at the Ministry of Health and their counterparts working at the Crisis Helpline of the NMHC.

From February to June 2013 the series of trainings were given in the NMHC. The trainings were organized within the EU Project on Empowerment of Mental Health Service Users in Five Regions of Azerbaijan. The program included:

·         Development of psychosocial rehabilitation in mental institutions of Azerbaijan (Ruta Lukosaityte, Rasa Verseckaite February, 2013)

·         Reporting of mental health issues in media (Arunas Germenyaviсhus March, 2013)

·         Human rights protection of people with mental disorders (Nana Zavdrashvili  June, 2013)