During the 2024–2025 biennium, Uruguay consolidated structural advances in mental health planning and governance at the subnational level, in line with the implementation of the Mental Health Law. The country began the national expansion of departmental mental health plans, building on the pilot experience in Río Negro, with implementation planned across all 19 departments.

PAHO provided technical cooperation focused on methodological development, institutional capacity strengthening, and the creation of standardized and sustainable tools for territorial mental health planning. In coordination with the University of the Republic, a reference guide for the formulation of departmental plans was developed and disseminated in print and digital formats and the capacities of departmental directors and mental health coordinators were strengthened for its application. Technical support included strengthening the capacities of departmental health directors and mental health coordinators to apply the guide in their respective territories.

Together, these actions strengthened the health system’s capacity to plan, implement, and sustain integrated mental health services at the territorial level, with a particular focus on people and groups in situations of vulnerability and in alignment with national priorities and regional mental health frameworks.

Photo caption: Publications of the Río Negro Departmental Mental Health Action Plan 

Credit: PAHO Uruguay