The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), in partnership with Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) and with financial backing from the EU-Funded Health Sector Support Programme, has launched a four-day Training of Trainers Workshop on the WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) 2.0. This training, held from 15–18 July 2025, targets psychiatric nurse practitioners and medical officers from across Belize’s health regions to expand access to mental health services.
The mhGAP-IG is a globally recognized tool designed by WHO to help non-specialist healthcare workers diagnose and manage mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) conditions. The workshop aims to scale up integration of mental health care into primary health services by building a cadre of national trainers who will replicate mhGAP training countrywide.
Mental health has been prioritized in Belize through the National Mental Health Policy 2023–2028 and the National Health Sector Action Plan 2025–2034, both of which emphasize accessible, equitable, and integrated mental health care. MNS conditions remain a major global health burden, and this initiative seeks to address the gaps in Belize’s mental health services.
The workshop uses interactive and participatory teaching methods—such as case studies, videos, discussions, and role-play—to enhance practical learning. Trainers will be provided with support materials, including handouts and quick-reference guides, to facilitate further training.
By the conclusion of the workshop, participants are expected to demonstrate improved capacity to train other healthcare workers, enhance the quality of care for MNS conditions, reduce the burden on mental health specialists, and contribute to a stronger, more responsive mental health system. So far, around 125 healthcare professionals in Belize have received mhGAP training, with this new workshop reinforcing national efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage and ensure broader access to mental health care.
