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Trinidad’s Ministry Of Health Joins PAHO In Tackling Mental Health During COVID-19

Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh (left), and Dr. Hazel Othello, Director of the island's Mental Health Unit, participate in the virtual meeting. Photo credit: T&T news agency.

Trinidad’s Ministry Of Health Joins PAHO In Tackling Mental Health During COVID-19

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (Friday,April 30, 2021) — Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, joined health officials, from around the region, in the webinar “Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic”.

The seminar, which was hosted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), provided a forum for discussions on mental health strategies in the Americas, in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic. PAHO works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their populations.

Minister Deyalsingh presented Trinidad and Tobago’s experience in addressing mental health, during the national response to the pandemic. Dr. Hazel Othello, Director of Mental Health Unit, also attended the meeting.

This virtual meeting is part of a webinar series, entitled “Tackling Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), risk factors and mental health during the time of COVID-19”, aimed at putting a spotlight on mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The objectives of this initiative include:

To present the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of populations and mental health systems and services in the Region of the Americas during the pandemic and future plans for the post-pandemic period;

To outline strategies and recommendations for working towards a multisectoral approach to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) coordination and interventions and strengthening mental health systems in the Region of the Americas;

To present countries’ experiences in addressing mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

To advocate for the prioritization of mental health in the political agenda in the region.

The Health Ministry says, it recognises the increased need for mental health services, during and after the pandemic, and will continue to work with PAHO to provide optimum health services to the population.

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