Mental Health is a program within the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH), which promotes, coordinates and implements technical cooperation to strengthen national capacities to develop policies, plans, programs, and services, thus contributing to mental well-being, prevent mental disorders, emphasize recovery, and promote persons with mental disorders to exercise their human rights to attain the highest possible level of health and to contribute to the well-being of families and communities.
Read the background and historical development of PAHO's Mental Health Program...
Plan of Action on Mental Health 2015-2020
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and its Member States adopted the Plan of Action on Mental Health to guide mental health interventions in the Americas from 2015 to 2020. Mental and substance use disorders are highly prevalent, are major contributors to morbidity, disability, injury and premature mortality, and increase the risk for other health conditions.
World Health Day 2017: Depression, Let´s Talk
World Mental Health Day, observed every 10 October, is an ocassion to join our efforts to raise awareness in the population about mental health issues. In 2019, the day will be focused in suicide prevention, and the role that everyone can play to prevent it.
Learn more about this campaign at World Mental Health Day 2019
Featured Publications and Resources
Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders. Global Health Estimates
mhGAP Intervention Guide - Version 2.0 for mental, neurological and substance use disorders in non-specialized health settings, 2016
Mental Health Atlas of the Americas (2015)
Report on Epilepsy in Latin America and the Caribbean (2013)
Thinking Healthy A manual for psychological management of perinatal depression(2015)
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Contact Us
Advisor on Mental Health and Substance Use - Caribbean
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Andrea Bruni
Advisor on Mental Health and Substance Use - South America
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Carmen Martinez
Advisor on Mental Health and Substance Use - Central America
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