Strengthening the mental health response
and psychosocial support in the COVID-19 pandemic
Through the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), the countries of the Region, with the support of PAHO/WHO, have trained non-specialist health workers to identify, manage, and refer people with mental health conditions.
Professionals from Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Hondu- ras, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela participated in the last mhGAP course. The mhGAP program also emphasizes aspects such as the creation of a team in charge of implementing the program, monitoring and evaluation, monitoring of implementation indicators, access to medicines, and clinical and administrative supervision.
When mental health is included in primary care, mental health services are brought closer to the community. This contributes to the prevention of mental illness and the promotion of mental health and to breaking the barriers of stigma and discrimination, promoting systems for referral and back-referral to specialized services and quality care with community participation and user empowerment.
In this edition
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the population
The mental health of health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Psychological first aid, key to coping with Tropical Storm ETA and Hurricane IOTA in Honduras
Coordination in mental health: a priority in emergencies
Strengthening the mental health response and psychosocial support in the COVID-19 pandemic
Launch of the “Mental Health Now - Share Your Story” campaign
Stronger Together Campaign 2020
Mental health literacy is the way forward, say Jamaican educators
The mental health response to COVID-19 Case of the British Virgin Islands
Caribbean countries receive training to improve coordination in mental health during emergencies
Alcohol, tobacco, and other substances in the COVID-19 pandemic