Launch of the High-level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19

The Pan American Health Organization cordially invites you to join us on the launch event to present the "High-level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19", that will take place on Friday, 6 May, at 10:00 AM (EDT). The Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19 is a strategic group of leaders and thinkers from across the Americase to support the Organization and its Member States in improving and strengthening mental health across the Americas, both during the pandemic and for the future.

Broadcast

Background

The pandemic has disrupted health and social services, education and community activities, and has devastated the economies of countries in the Americas. Unemployment has risen dramatically, and poverty and inequality have also increased. As a consequence of this, the mental health of people of all ages and socio-economic groups across the Region has been negatively impacted.

Recent studies in the Region have shown high rates of depression and anxiety as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among women, young people, those with pre-existing mental health conditions, health workers, and persons living in vulnerable conditions. Mental health and substance use services have also been severely disrupted by the pandemic. A lack of financial and human resource investments in mental health services, and the limited implementation of the community-based care model have contributed to the current mental health situation. At the same time, the Region has seen innovations in tele-mental health, and a scaling up of mental health and psychosocial support to address gaps in services. The pandemic has therefore created an opportunity for strengthening and improving mental health using transformational approaches to build back better and fairer.

To achieve this, however, far greater political will, financing, community mobilization and social change are needed to ensure that mental health is afforded the priority it deserves, as part of rebuilding health and social systems, post COVID-19. To this end, the Pan American Health Organization has established a High-Level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19 to guide the Organization and its Member States in improving mental health in the Americas.

Visit the Virtual Platform for the PAHO High-Level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19 to learn more and be updated on the advances of the Commision. 

How to participate

• DATE: Friday, 6 May 2022
• TIME: 10:00 – 11:00 AM EDT [check below local times]
• REGISTER: https://paho-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_arQw1wiZSdG0ieQawpFvRA
• LANGUAGES: This event will be held in Spanish and English with interpretation in both languages

Agenda

Time correspondence

• 7:00 am.– Los Angeles, Vancouver
• 8:00 am. – Belmopan, Guatemala City,  Managua, San José (CR), San Salvador, Tegucigalpa
• 9:00 am. – Bogota, Kingston, Lima, México City, Panama City, Quito
• 10:00 am. – Asunción, Bridgetown, Caracas, Castries, Georgetown, Havana, La Paz, Nassau, Ottawa, Port-au-Prince, Port of Spain, San Juan, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Washington DC 
• 11:00 am  –  Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Montevideo, Paramaribo
• 4:00 pm. – Geneva, Madrid

For other cities, check the time in the following link

Related Links

Virtual Platform for the Hig-Level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19

Mental Health and COVID-19