Roseau, Dominica, 8th August 2025 (PAHO) – Stakeholder discussions to inform the development of a mental health policy and revised legislation continued in Dominica from August 5th to 8th, 2025.
This ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is the second consultation of more than 50 stakeholders. The officials represented the Attorney General’s Chambers, Village Councils, The Dominica Fire and Ambulance Service, the Dominica Prison Service, non-governmental organizations, academia, religious organizations, the business community, and youth groups, among other organisations.
In his recent budget presentation on July 30th, the Minister of Health, Wellness and Social Services Hon. Cassani Laville, underscored the importance of adopting a whole of society approach to addressing mental health. “As a society we must collectively grasp the gravity of mental health and the far-reaching impact on individuals, families and our people…mental illness must be viewed with the same seriousness and urgency as NCDs.”
Field consultations with health and social services staff at facilities including the Dominica China Friendship Hospital and Reginald Armour Hospital also formed part of this mission. Key issues emerging from the consultation sessions included the role of the workplace in ensuring access to mental health services, substance use, homelessness in youth and other vulnerable populations, and the role of religious institutions in counselling services. One of the stakeholder perspectives included that of Dominica State College student, Ms. Ta-donna Cornelius. “It was encouraging to see such strong commitment to strengthening Dominica’s mental health system through updated legislation. The session showed how important it is to include different perspectives, especially youth voices, which are often overlooked but were heard here.”
PAHO Consultants, Psychiatrist Dr. Soumitra Pathare, and his colleague Ms. Tanya Fernandes of the Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy led this week-long consultation.
The next step in the development of the legislation and policy instruments includes the constitution of a core multisectoral group that will work along with the consultant over the next few months.
As part of this ongoing initiative, in 2024 PAHO provided support by training more than 25 medical officers and nurses in the mhGAP Action Programme, which allows for increased access to mental health treatment services, including at the District level, to address conditions such as depression and to prevent suicide.
PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC), Dr. Amalia Del Riego, underscored the urgency of reforming mental health legislation. “Over the years, mental health challenges have increased in our region and our world. Legislation remains obsolete. We are therefore working with countries to update legislation to ensure a rights-based approach to address current mental health needs. Addressing mental health needs requires a transformation of the model of health care with full integration of mental health in primary care and the allocation of the required resources. The updated legislation will be fundamental to guiding such transformation.
