In 2005, mental health became a primary focus point for the Marshall Islands when a situational analysis was conducted regarding the mental health needs of its citizens (Alfred et al., 2015). In 2007, a mental health policy was established that covered the mental health services provided, the well-being of the staff, etc. (Alfred et al., 2015). In 2008 and 2009, a training plan was created that would allow for new mental health care professionals to be trained properly, and then a mental health council was created to take over the responsibility of regulating their policies (Alfred et al., 2015). From this point on, the mental health field in the Marshall Islands has continued to grow with more training offered to healthcare professionals such as doctors and NGO stakeholders (Alfred et al., 2015).
The available health care centers have served as huge providers of community-based services for the people on all of the islands included in the Marshall Islands (Alfred et al., 2015). Alfred et al. (2015) explain that health care centers remain “in contact with the community through community health councils located on the atolls” (p. 22). This helps to continue providing services to the outer islands.