PAHO supported Belize in advancing mental health reform by strengthening legislation, surveillance, crisis response, and responsible media reporting on suicide and self‑harm. Technical cooperation included developing recommendations to guide updates to mental health legislation in line with international human rights standards, supporting capacity building for police officers and frontline responders for community crisis response, and strengthening implementation of the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP). PAHO also supported training in morbidity and mortality coding in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) and the development of a national mental health dashboard, thereby improving data quality and standardizing methodologies for surveillance and decision‑making. Engagement with media professionals enhanced responsible reporting practices and contributed to suicide prevention efforts.  

Together, these actions reflect a comprehensive, intersectoral approach to mental health that strengthens governance, improves service capacity, and promotes community involvement. By reinforcing mental health systems and data‑driven responses, PAHO contributed to improved access to quality mental health care, reduced stigma, and strengthened national capacity to address mental health needs as part of the Better Care for NCDs initiative. 

Photo caption: A health care worker participating in mhGAP training  

Credit: PAHO/Zenena Moguel