St. George’s, Grenada, 9 October 2026 (PAHO/WHO) – As Grenada continues to strengthen mental health services and bring care closer to communities, 23 health professionals have enhanced their ability to identify and respond to mental health needs within primary health care settings.
The Ministry of Mental Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), conducted training on the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) for health-care providers who are not specialized in mental health.
Held from 30 September to 2 October 2026 at the Sir Kerani James Stadium, the training brought together nurses, medical doctors and other health-care providers working in health facilities and community settings.
The activity forms part of ongoing efforts to integrate mental health into primary health care, helping to ensure that people can receive appropriate support earlier and closer to where they live and work.
Facilitated by psychiatrist Dr. Claudina Cayetano and Dr. Doris Keens-Douglas, the sessions combined practical learning, discussion and reflection. Participants explored emerging trends in mental health and strengthened their knowledge and skills in areas including depression, psychosis, dementia, other significant mental health complaints and suicide prevention.
A strong emphasis was placed on translating knowledge into practice. Through group discussions, role plays, videos, presentations and pre- and post-training assessments, participants considered how the approaches and skills gained could be applied in their own workplaces to improve the identification, management and care of people experiencing mental health conditions.
For frontline health workers, these skills can make an important difference in recognizing mental health needs and providing timely, appropriate support. Strengthening capacity within primary care and community settings also helps expand access to mental health services and supports earlier intervention.
The training forms part of Grenada’s broader efforts to strengthen its national mental health system and advance a more community-based, people-centred approach to care, in which mental health is increasingly integrated into services available closer to people and communities.
