Grenada advances National Mental Health Reform in collaboration with PAHO

St. George's, Grenada, 16 February 2026 (PAHO) - The Ministry of Mental Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs of Grenada, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), convened a technical meeting to advance the country's ongoing mental health reform including the finalization of its National Mental Health Policy.

The meeting brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Mental Health and PAHO's technical team led by Dr. Taraleen Malcolm and including Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Soumitra Pathare and Ms. Jasmine Kalha from the Indian Law Society. The session forms part of continued cooperation between the Government of Grenada and PAHO to strengthen mental health within the health system delivery network, reduce stigma and discrimination, and expand community-based care.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mental Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs, Ms. Naomi Jeremiah, emphasized the Government's commitment in ensuring mental health receives the national priority it deserves. "The establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Mental Health demonstrates our Government's commitment to ensuring that mental wellbeing is central to national development," she stated. "We are grateful for PAHO's continued partnership and technical guidance as we refine our national mental health policy and strengthen services for our population."

During the meeting, participants reviewed progress to date and agreed on several priority actions:

• The Ministry aims to finalize and resubmit the National Mental Health Policy to Cabinet by June 2026.
• The policy will incorporate strengthened provisions on suicide prevention, alongside ongoing efforts to decriminalize suicide attempts.
• PAHO and the Ministry will advance the integration of mental health into primary health care, including training through the World Health Organization's (WHO's) Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) and expanding access to community-based services
• Work continues on improving mental health information systems, including development of a DHIS2 mental health module.
• A comprehensive national consultation process with multi-sectoral stakeholders to include government ministries, civil society, and the public will begin in March 2026.

PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, Dr. Amalia Del Riego commended the Ministry's dedication in working towards a rights-based, integrated mental health program at the primary care level in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health. "PAHO is committed to supporting the Government as it strengthens policy, legislation, and service delivery for the benefit of all people," she said.