The Ministry of Mental Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs of Grenada, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), recently held a technical meeting to advance the country’s mental health reform and finalize its National Mental Health Policy. The meeting brought together senior officials from the Ministry and PAHO’s technical team, including Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Soumitra Pathare, and Ms. Jasmine Kalha from the Indian Law Society. The session is part of ongoing cooperation aimed at strengthening mental health services, reducing stigma, and expanding community-based care across Grenada.
Permanent Secretary Ms. Naomi Jeremiah highlighted the government’s commitment to prioritizing mental wellbeing within national development. She emphasized that establishing a dedicated Ministry of Mental Health demonstrates Grenada’s focus on integrating mental health into public policy and health services, while also appreciating PAHO’s technical guidance in refining the national policy and improving services for the population.
During the meeting, participants reviewed progress and set priority actions for the reform. These include finalizing and resubmitting the National Mental Health Policy to Cabinet by June 2026, with strengthened provisions on suicide prevention and ongoing efforts to decriminalize suicide attempts. The integration of mental health into primary health care will be advanced through training under the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) and expanded access to community-based services. Improvements to mental health information systems, including a DHIS2 module, are also underway, alongside a comprehensive national consultation with government ministries, civil society, and the public starting March 2026.
Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, commended Grenada’s dedication to developing a rights-based, integrated mental health program at the primary care level. She reaffirmed PAHO’s commitment to supporting the government in strengthening policy, legislation, and service delivery for the benefit of all Grenadians.
