Argentina

WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health

WHO / Blink Media - Daiana Valencia

Argentina joined the WHO’s Director General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health in 2022 to advance systems transformation and scaling up of mental health services. The Initiative seeks to increase access and improve coverage and quality of mental health services for 5.2 million more Argentinians, primarily through the creation of community-based services, integration into primary health care and strengthening of secondary-level mental health services. The Initiative will also play a key role in supporting the country's deinstitutionalization efforts.

Strengthening Mental Health Systems

Through activities under the Special Initiative for Mental Health, Argentina is strengthening mental health systems across the country. This includes:

Expanding implementation of the mhGAP program in all provinces/jurisdictions of the country.

Promoting transformation and the transition of mental health care from psychiatric hospitals to more accessible community, primary and secondary health care services.

Increasing mental health service delivery in communities and general hospitals.

Strengthening the collective participation of mental health managers, the mental health workforce, service users and civil society organizations in mental health promotion; and supporting them to work together to improve and monitor the quality of mental health services.