Washington D.C., February 8, 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) provided technical assistance to Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, and Panama to improve coordination, preparedness, and response capacities in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) during health emergencies. This was done through the Cooperation Among Countries for Health Development (CCHD) project, from July to December 2023.
Cross-country cooperation and horizontal alliances optimize existing health capacities and promote the exchange of know-how and technologies among partners. The project consisted of 3 objectives.
The first sought to strengthen MHPSS coordination mechanisms. To this end, four intersectoral Technical Working Groups (TWG) were created to strengthen coordination and define their tasks, operation, and sustainability. Work was also carried out on the creation of work plans and mapping of actors and resources for a coordinated response.
The second objective was to establish preparation plans for the MHPSS response, and training plans for key actors incorporating psychological first aid, protection of human rights, basic psychosocial skills, suicide prevention, and self-care, always within the framework of emergencies. In addition, the adaptation of tools for damage assessment and needs analysis in disaster situations and the development of a preparation plan for the MHPSS response in emergencies.
The third objective covered the exchange of knowledge and lessons learned about MHPSS in emergencies in the region, an in-person workshop with the participation of representatives from the four countries, and a report with recommendations to serve as a guide for future responses.
Main results
Once the project was completed, the four countries established or reactivated MHPSS working groups, and created a work plan. The mapping of actors was carried out by Guatemala and Costa Rica and in the case of Honduras it was carried out in Tegucigalpa, El Paraíso, and Santa Bárbara.
Guatemala carried out the MHPSS preparation plan and disseminated the Practical Guide for Mental Health Assessment and Interventions in Emergency and Disaster Situations with a Multi-Threat Approach.
Honduras, for its part, produced a document called Guidelines for MHPSS Preparation in Emergencies, and a guide to create a response preparation plan. In addition, they identified the key actors and carried out the training plan.
Costa Rica also carried out the training plan for MHPSS along with a tool for damage assessment and needs analysis. Panama already has key actors identified, and the training plan.
The project included the production of three technical support guides: one to carry out an MHPSS emergency response preparation plan, another to carry out the mapping of actors, and a last guide for the development of an MHPSS working group. In addition, countries were provided with three brochures on the implications, coordination, and importance of MHPSS response to emergencies.
We also highlight that in the theoretical and practical workshop in San José, Costa Rica, the preparation plan for emergency response was worked on. With the international workshop and the weekly meetings between countries, the networks between them have been strengthened, which has a positive impact on learning from experiences and strengthening capacities.
PAHO's technical support to countries, in the early phases of the emergency preparedness process, is essential for it to be sustainable. In emergencies, coordinated actions must be undertaken between those who provide humanitarian assistance, both government entities, non-governmental organizations, and civil society groups involved in MHPSS.
The WHO Comprehensive Action Plan on Mental Health 2013 – 2030 urges Member States, among other measures, to ensure the provision of mental health and psychosocial support services in emergency and disaster situations, and to promote intersectoral initiatives for the promotion of mental health and the prevention of mental disorders.
