The humanitarian and health crisis that Honduras is experiencing as a result of COVID-19 has exacerbated the difficulties of access to socio-economic and healthcare rights for people in situations of greater vulnerability, as well as those who are in a situation of poverty and extreme poverty. Many people have been affected by the loss of loved ones, financial challenges, hunger, domestic violence, uncertainty about the future and social stigma.

The pandemic has caused a significant increase in people with mental health and substance use disorders. The availability of mental health services is scarce. Existing services are very much focused around institutional care across the three hospitals that care for patients with severe conditions.

Implementation and Achievements

In Honduras, the needs assessment and resource mapping exercises focused on the areas of Intibucá and Yamaranguila. Honduras’ National Mental Health Action Plan is currently under review by the national-level Mental Health Technical Working group. PAHO will continue to support the revision of the plan, while advocating for the integration of emergency MHPSS elements.

The mhGAP training for primary health care workers had the participation of the staff of the Intibucá Health Network, including Medical Personnel, Nurses, Social Workers and Specialist Doctors. The total number of participants who completed the training was 20 people, of whom16 were females and 4 were males. The participants were from 5 health care centers from the main hospital in the area and the district's health management team. The main objectives were: (i) train frontline staff in the prevention and management of people with mental health conditions and (ii) develop a mhGAP implementation plan with trainees, to be implemented in the coming months.

Psychosocial First Aid training was given to Nursing Staff, Social Workers, General Practitioners, Social Managers and Technicians. The total number of participants who completed the training was 52 people, of whom 48 were females and 4 were males from 16 different health structures and 6 non-health institutions.

In addition, a broad communication campaign was developed through a collaboration between SESAL and PAHO's communication team. The main objective of the campaign was to contribute to the adoption of positive changes in individual, family, community and inter-institutional behavior related to MHPSS and the promotion of healthy habits targeting on indigenous populations.

Communication materials