The COVID-19 pandemic has been considerably affecting people’s mental health in the Caribbean. Several factors contribute to this situation, for example, that the early response to the pandemic focused on physical and economic impacts, that there was limited awareness about the role of MHPSS in emergencies, and that there continues to be stigma associated with seeking mental health support. As the Mental Health Unit Chief at PAHO, Dr. Renato Oliveira, says, “it is important to understand that mental health support should be a cross cutting theme in an emergency response, but it takes concerted efforts to make that happen”.
Given the limited MHPSS capacity in the subregion and the associated stigma with the seeking of mental health support, PAHO took a three-pronged approach to helping countries correct the situation. First of all, PAHO developed a tutor led course on MHPSS coordination and invited member states to identity persons involved in MHPSS coordination to participate. The course finishes in April. Forty-two people are enrolled and attendants are already using what they have learnt in their daily work.
Secondly, two consultants specialized in MHPSS were engaged through the World Health Organization to work directly with countries to build capacity in MHPSS intervention and coordination for a six-month period (December 2020 to March 2021). In coordination with the participating countries, the consultants developed a work plan to provide technical support. A webinar series addressing topics identified by several countries was developed and opened to all those interested from across the Caribbean.
Prior to the start of the series, a questionnaire assessing the needs level for MHPSS support was prepared and disseminated, and respondents received a link to register for the webinars they were interested in. To date, a total of 361 responses have been received and between 100 and 300 persons have been attending the various webinars. Some interesting observations about the respondents, is that while 83% work in MHPSS, only 40% have received training in MHPSS coordination. The majority (58%) do not have prior experience in coordination during emergencies. Of the total respondents, 68% have less than one-year experience in MHPSS coordination. Only 8% have 5 or more years of experience. Another relevant observation is that 79 % are not familiar with the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.
Finally, PAHO’s third approach is working with the countries to help them establish or strengthen their MHPSS Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and integrate MHPSS coordination into their national disaster response mechanisms. To that end, PAHO is providing technical support for the development of the TWG’s terms of reference and guidance for their establishment and operation. It is also working with the countries to prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) for their integration into the national disaster response.
This experience is showing that multi-pronged strategies are essential when working with countries to address the challenges they face. As Dr. Claudina Cayetano, PAHO’s Mental Health Regional Advisor says “we need to meet countries where they are, understand their challenges, successes and vision, and work with them as partners on multiple fronts to help them achieve their objectives. We have a shared goal: improving the quality of life of the people in the Region. As a result, most of the time, their objectives are congruent with PAHO’s.”