Caribbean Countries Making Strides In Mental Health Care

Caribbean countries have some of the highest suicide rates in the world, says Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas.

Speaking on Wednesday at the opening session of the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) 69th Annual Health Research Conference, themed Mental Health: The Hidden Pandemic, Dr. Sealey-Thomas said mental health conditions were usually not addressed due to a lack of awareness, stigma and discrimination, and limited access to quality treatment and care in communities.

She expressed concern that mental health only received a small fraction of total public health spending in the region, stating that the majority of investment usually goes to psychiatric hospitals instead of community-based services, where people can receive more effective and accessible care.

“While we recognise these challenges, we must also take note of the crucial advances that many countries in the Caribbean are making to improve mental health care, particularly in the area of mental health legislation, the decentralisation of mental health care from psychiatric hospitals and suicide prevention,” PAHO’s Assistant Director acknowledged.

She pointed out that The Bahamas and Guyana recently revised their mental health legislation to ensure that their laws are rights-based and person-centred, while Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines were updating their mental health laws to align with international standards of care.

There were also efforts to decentralise mental health care from psychiatric hospitals to build capacity at the primary health care level, using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Mental Health Global Action Programme (mhGAP).

It is expected that by the end of 2025, almost every Caribbean country will use the mhGAP as the basis for integrating mental health into primary health care, Dr. Sealey-Thomas stated. This should bring essential pharmacological and psychosocial interventions closer to people in their communities and homes.

Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas said countries were improving their efforts to prevent suicides. For example, Guyana recently decriminalised suicide attempts and is working towards improving suicide surveillance, while Suriname is conducting a situation analysis to better understand challenges and gaps to inform effective interventions for suicide. Furthermore, Trinidad and Tobago, once ranked among the top three Caribbean countries for suicide rates, has reduced suicide mortality significantly as a result of coordinated prevention efforts, including public education campaigns.

She said countries were improving their efforts to prevent suicides. For example, Guyana recently decriminalised suicide attempts and is working towards improving suicide surveillance, while Suriname is conducting a situation analysis to better understand challenges and gaps to inform effective interventions for suicide.

Furthermore, Trinidad and Tobago, once ranked among the top three Caribbean countries for suicide rates, has reduced suicide mortality significantly as a result of coordinated prevention efforts, including public education campaigns.

The Assistant Director noted that with PAHO’s technical cooperation, countries like Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago have conducted training programmes with the media on responsible reporting on suicide.

“Other important achievements include the establishment and implementation of crisis helplines for the early identification and support of people affected by suicide and self-harm, such as Lifeline Barbados, a 24-hour helpline operated by the Ministry of Health, that has provided vital, anonymous support to those in crisis, helping to prevent loss of life and offering real-time connection to care,” she stated.

Dr. Sealey-Thomas encouraged investment in research systems that were “fit-for-purpose” and generated knowledge that addressed the needs and priorities of Caribbean populations. She stressed that scientific research saves lives and results in better health outcomes.

Approximately 400 persons, including researchers and policymakers are attending CARPHA’s Health Research Conference, which runs from May 7 to 9. A total of 87 oral papers and 86 poster presentations will highlight research findings from students, academics, and health professionals from the region.

Author: Melissa Rollock

Publish: May 08, 2025