By: Staff Writer
May 1, 2026
The Pan American Health Organization’s latest 2025 annual report for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean countries said that mental health governance systems were boosted across several states.
The countries were Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. PAHO noted that they collaborated with Member States and key stakeholders to advance mental health reform and integration across the Eastern Caribbean Countries. Countries strengthened governance frameworks and service capacity to better incorporate mental health into primary care.
“With direct technical support provided by PAHO, multiple Member States completed key policy outputs, including mental health bills completed in Antigua and Barbuda, and Barbados, and drafting instructions for new bills in Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, enabling progress toward rights-based, community oriented mental health systems.
“PAHO supported capacity-building for service delivery through Mental Health Gap Action Programme training, quality rights implementation, and school-based mental health literacy initiatives.”
Pointing to a case study, the report said: “Shawn Addison first noticed his mental health struggles as a teenager, finding it difficult to focus and often withdrawing from social interactions.
“By his early thirties, these challenges had intensified, making daily life overwhelming. At the urging of a friend, he visited his nearest polyclinic, where an assessment led to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
“Though hesitant at first, he began treatment and therapy, which helped him regain stability. Twelve years later, Shawn continues to receive ongoing care, medication, and support at his local polyclinic, praising the program for its accessibility and compassionate staff.
“His experience reflects the transformation of mental health care in Barbados. With strong leadership from the government and technical support from PAHO, mental health services have been integrated into all polyclinics, ensuring community based, stigma-free care.
“This reform comes at a crucial time, as the country faces rising mental health needs, and marks an important step toward universal health.”
The annual reports of the PAHO/WHO country offices present a summary of the main results achieved with the technical cooperation of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in each of the Member States of the Region of the Americas in 2025. In addition to the most relevant achievements obtained together with governments and other key partners, they include stories from the field that tangibly illustrate progress and challenges in the area of health.
The reports reflect PAHO’s sustained commitment to strengthening health systems and responding to national priorities. They are also a fundamental tool for accountability and transparency, promoting policy dialogue, and demonstrating the added value that PAHO offers in the countries of the Region.