Integrating mental health services into primary health care (PHC) is vital for improving access and reducing costs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Iran, despite efforts to implement these programs, challenges persist. A study conducted in Hormozgan Province explored barriers to effective integration from the perspective of healthcare professionals. Through 16 in-depth interviews with psychologists, community health workers, and mental health officers, four main categories of barriers were identified:
- Human and organizational capacity limitations, including ineffective collaboration and insufficient training.
- Infrastructural and environmental deficiencies, such as inadequate counseling spaces and technical resources.
- Cultural and social barriers, including stigma and low public awareness.
- Institutional and systemic challenges, like program overload and weak data systems.
The findings reveal that these barriers significantly hinder the integration of mental health services in Iran’s PHC system. Addressing these issues by enhancing workforce capacity, improving infrastructure, raising community awareness, and reforming governance systems is crucial for sustainable implementation of mental health programs.