Lima, 19 May 2016.- Persons with psychosocial disabilities from the CREMI (Iquitos's definitely closed Rehabilitation Center for the Mentally Ill) are today receiving care in sheltered homes, in permanent contact with the community and integrated into their environment. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has produced a documentary titled "An Innovative Approach to Mental Health" showing this experience. Dr. Raúl González, PAHO/WHO Representative in Perú, commented that this innovative approach fundamentally respects the rights of individuals: "we have moved from almost penitentiary models, implying the confinement of these people, to a community-focused care model. PAHO/WHO is currently supporting the Ministry of Health and the regional health departments in this process, its main pillars being the transfer of resources and the closure of all extended hospitalization centers".
People who were part of the transition, such as patients, health professionals, justice officials, neighbors and health authorities, are included in the documentary.
The direction and production of the video was in charge of Dr. Andrea Bruni, PAHO/WHO Subregional Adviser on Mental Health and Substance Use, and of PAHO's communications consultant in Peru, Ms. Paola Arica.
