As the Region continues to struggle with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pan American Health Organization is making mental health a priority for 2022.

To support the Organization and its Member States in this endeavor, PAHO has established a strategic group of leaders and thinkers from across the Americas to form part of the Region’s “High-Level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19.”

Objectives of the Commission:
  • To advise PAHO on appropriate institutional responses to advance mental health in the Region, to respond to the challenges resulting from and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide guidance on how PAHO might optimally engage key stakeholders including heads of state, civil society leaders and other non-state actors, in prioritizing mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To develop guidance to support PAHO Member States in strengthening their mental health approaches and policies and services to address pandemic-related mental health needs, and to build back better mental health systems in the post pandemic period.
  • To produce a Report containing key recommendations to improve Mental Health in the Americas and transform mental health systems and services in the COVID-19 post-pandemic period.