A New Agenda for Mental Health in the Americas: Report of the Pan American Health Organization High-Level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19. Executive Summary

Abstract

Unmet mental health needs in the Region of the Americas are a leading source of morbidity and mortality in the Region of the Americas, which result in tremendous health, social, and economic consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis in the Region, necessitating urgent action at the highest levels of government and across sectors to build back better mental health systems and services. This executive summary of landmark report is the result of the PAHO High-Level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19. It provides an analysis of the mental health situation followed by a series of recommendations and corresponding actions to support countries in the Region to prioritize and advance mental health using human rights- and equity-based approaches.