Abstract. Introduction. The integration of mental health into primary care is a critical step toward achieving equitable and sustainable health care systems. In post-Soviet countries, the transition from centralized psychiatric institutions to community-based care remains an unfinished reform. The present research aims to examine the policy and practical challenges of integrating mental health services into primary care, focusing on Georgia as a case study and drawing comparative insights from Bulgaria, Estonia, and Ukraine. Materials and methods. Using a qualitative, policy-analytic approach, it explores institutional legacies, governance frameworks, financing mechanisms, and workforce preparedness. Results. Findings reveal that while most countries have adopted integration policies aligned with the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) framework, their implementation is constrained by fragmented governance, inadequate training, and persistent stigma. Conclusion. The paper argues that meaningful integration requires not only legal and financial reforms but also a paradigm shift from institutional to community care and from biomedical to biopsychosocial models. Recommendations are offered to strengthen policy coherence, build capacity in primary care, and enhance intersectoral collaboration.

Key words: mental health integration, primary care, post-Soviet health systems, Georgia, community psychiatry, health policy reform

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