5 June- As part of its weekly mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and COVID-19 webinar series, the Mental Health and Substance Use Unit organized a virtual seminar on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) experiences from the field in the context of COVID-19. 551 people attended.
Dr. Carmen Borrego, Chief of Mental Health for the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba, and Dr. Iracema Justiniano, Head of the Mental Health Program of the Autonomous Departmental Government of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, presented on the MHPSS and COVID-19 experiences of Cuba and Bolivia.
Dr. Carmen Borrego shared some of Cuba’s MHPSS interventions during the pandemic and their results. These interventions, aimed at the general population, populations at risk, hospitalized and recovering patients, and health workers, at different levels of care in the system, have been the product of a working group with experts from various institutions. Among other actions, Dr. Borrego highlighted telephone counselling, the country’s risk communication strategy, and a support program for health workers.
Dr. Iracema Justiniano presented the experience of community mental health in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Psychological and psychiatric care has been provided in person, as well as by telephone, through video calls and WhatsApp, to people affected by COVID-19 and their families. In addition, home care is being provided to stabilize patients if necessary. Among mental health conditions identified through this care were anxiety disorders (30%) and major depressive episodes (22%). Grief also commonly accompanied these other issues.