PAHO Urges Prioritization of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Across the Americas
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A new initiative from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Organization of American States (OAS) aims to address a growing public health crisis: the largely neglected mental health needs of children and adolescents in the Americas. The effort includes the launch of a new online course and the inaugural Inter-American Mental Health Week, signaling a regional commitment to improved care.
The Inter-American Mental Health Week, taking place during the second week of October, is built around the theme “Empower, Connect, Care: Strengthening the Mental Health of Children and Youth in the Americas.” The week’s activities are part of PAHO’s broader strategy to improve mental health outcomes across the region. A webinar held on October 8 featured insights from an expert at the Collaborating Center of the University of Chile, outlining the current state of mental health services for young people in primary care settings. A regional workshop, co-organized by PAHO and the OAS and scheduled for October 9, will concentrate on bolstering responses to mental health emergencies via 911 systems.
“This regional collaboration reflects a shared commitment to address mental health challenges with a rights-based, patient-centered approach and to promote community initiatives throughout the Hemisphere,” stated PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa during the launch of the event.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by stark statistics. While children and adolescents comprise roughly 30% of the population in the Americas, their mental health needs are significantly underserved. Among those aged 15 to 24, depression and anxiety are the leading causes of years lived with disability, and suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death – a preventable tragedy.
According to Dr. Barbosa, numerous factors contribute to this crisis. “Unfortunately, many children and adolescents in the Americas region face serious daily challenges such as violence, bullying, discrimination, poverty, health emergencies and environmental disasters, which increases their risk of developing mental health disorders.”
Strengthening Early Detection and Response
To address the critical need for improved care, PAHO launched the online course “Improving the mental health of children and adolescents in primary care” on Wednesday. The course is specifically designed for healthcare professionals who are not specialists in child and adolescent mental health – including primary care workers, psychologists, nurses, and social workers. It aims to enhance the identification and management of mental health disorders in this vulnerable population.
Hosted on the PAHO Virtual Public Health Campus, the self-study program consists of 10 modules covering a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, developmental disorders, ADHD, autism, and suicide prevention. The course seeks to equip health services with the tools to respond effectively and promptly to the needs of children and adolescents.
A Broader Strategy for Resilience
The Inter-American Mental Health Week and the new online course are integral components of PAHO’s wider efforts to fortify mental health systems throughout the Americas. The organization’s strategy for improving mental health and suicide prevention emphasizes the importance of early intervention and mental health promotion within schools and communities. These proactive measures can reduce risk factors and cultivate resilience among young people.
Dr. Barbosa concluded with a call to action: “We must do better, and the time to act is now. I urge all countries and territories in the region to make child and adolescent mental health a national priority. This includes promoting social and emotional skills, training health workers to identify and manage mental health conditions in primary care, and ensuring that schools and communities offer psychosocial support and strengthen life skills.”
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