Tuberculosis and Mental Health

Overview: This e-learning course was developed by WHO. It is a self-paced online course that follows the content of the WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis. Module 6: Tuberculosis and Comorbidities, 2023. The course will provide knowledge and guidance on how to identify the key mental disorders in people with TB and on the role of TB health workers in ensuring access to mental health support for people affected by TB. TB often affects people who are socially vulnerable and many people with TB experience some distress related to the disease, its treatment and/or TB-related stigma. Prevention, early detection, monitoring and treatment of mental health conditions may be essential to ensure positive TB treatment outcomes and to improve the health-related quality of life of people affected by TB.

Course duration: About 2 hours

Certificate: Participants with an 80% score or more on the final assessment can download a Certificate of Achievement. Participants who receive a Certificate of Achievement can also download an Open Badge for this e-course. Click here to learn how.

Course version: This is “Version 1.0” of this online course. At the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to share your feedback in a course evaluation survey. Please take the time to share your experience and opinions. Your feedback will be used to refine and update the course to produce a “Version 2.0”.

© World Health Organization 2023. All rights reserved. This e-learning course was developed by the World Health Organization. It is intended to be used as a self-learning course on tuberculosis and mental health. All reasonable precautions have been taken by WHO to verify the information contained in this e-learning training. However, the e-learning course is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the e-learning course lies with the reader. In no event shall WHO be liable for damages arising from its use. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WHO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted and dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.

What you’ll learn

After completing this e-learning course, you will be able to:

• describe the causes and consequences of co-occurring TB and mental health conditions;
• describe how to identify the symptoms of mental health conditions;
• describe brief psychological, pharmacological and preventive interventions;
• recognize special considerations in the management of TB among various subpopulations;
• explain what pathways and protocols are needed for referrals of people with TB and mental health conditions.

Who is this course for

This e-learning course is intended for health-care workers without specialized training in mental health who are supporting individuals and families affected by TB. It is assumed that you have working experience in TB and an understanding of the national guidelines for the management of TB.