The Government has approved a US$95,000 contribution towards a major technical partnership with the Pan American Health Organization to reform Antigua and Barbuda’s mental-health system.

Cabinet approved the plan, titled “Building a Resilient, Rights-Based Mental Health System in Antigua and Barbuda,” following a proposal from Health Minister Michael Joseph.

The programme will support the Government’s efforts to modernise mental-health legislation and shift services towards a more integrated, community-based and patient-centred system.

Cabinet was informed that significant progress has already been made on a new Mental Health Bill. However, the Government said legislative reform must be supported by improvements in the organisation and delivery of services.

The plan will focus on restructuring services, implementing the new legal and policy framework, developing the workforce, expanding community-based care, strengthening crisis response and improving public education.

A major objective is to reduce dependence on institutional care by providing more services within communities and integrating mental-health treatment with primary health care.

The programme will also strengthen referral systems and support the further operation of the Behavioural Health Unit and Resource Centre, including the establishment of a recreational therapy programme.

PAHO will provide specialised expertise and institutional assistance to support implementation.

Training will be offered to health professionals, law-enforcement officers, first responders and crisis-intervention teams. Cabinet said the involvement of these groups is essential because mental-health care extends beyond hospitals and specialist facilities.

The approved US$95,000 contribution includes US$58,000 for technical expertise and consultancy services, US$20,000 for training and capacity-building, US$12,000 for public education and communications and US$5,000 for technical missions.

The Ministry of Health will cover additional local implementation, administrative and logistical costs, subject to the Government’s established budgetary procedures.

Cabinet authorised the ministry to coordinate the programme with PAHO, other ministries, government agencies and national stakeholders.

The Government said the reforms are intended to create a more responsive system in which prevention, early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation and community support are better coordinated and more accessible.