by Ministry of Health

A TRAINING WORKSHOP UNDER THE THEME, “IMPROVING QUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES”

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition, in collaboration with the Pan American Health  Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), is taking steps to strengthen the quality  of mental health services and promote the protection of human rights for people accessing care  across Saint Lucia. A four-day World Health Organization (WHO) Quality Rights Training  Workshop brought together key stakeholders under the theme, “Improving Quality and Human  Rights in Mental Health Facilities.” The workshop forms part of efforts to build greater  awareness of the importance of providing mental health services that are not only accessible and  effective, but also respectful of the dignity, rights and individual needs of every person.

The WHO Quality Rights initiative was launched in 2012 with the aim of improving the quality  of care provided by mental health, social and related services, while promoting and protecting  the human rights of people with mental health conditions. For Saint Lucia, the training provides  an opportunity for health professionals and other stakeholders to examine how mental health  services can be further strengthened and made more responsive to the people they serve.

During her remarks at the opening ceremony, the Assistant Principal Nursing Officer, Tecla Jn  Baptiste, says improving mental health care requires a broader understanding of the needs and  rights of the people accessing services. “The ministry acknowledges that people with mental  health conditions and psychosocial disabilities may experience stigma, discrimination,  exclusion, coercion, and other violations of their rights. These experiences can discourage  persons and their families from seeking care. They can weaken the trust in the health  system and negatively affect recovery. Addressing them is therefore not only a clinical  responsibility, as we often say it, it is a human rights and also a public health priority.” 

According to the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sharon Belmar-George the Ministry has already  benefited from opportunities to examine mental health systems both locally and regionally  adding that an assessment of the system is essential if Saint Lucia is to achieve meaningful  improvements in patient care. “One of the things I’ve said to my team, if we are not prepared to  take an honest look at the system, see where the gaps are, see where the issues are, we’ll never  get to where we need to be. It’s easy to sit in a policy level and put things in place and it’s not  working well on the ground and think you’re doing a good job. Unless whatever we implement  and whatever policies we write show improvements in patient care, we’ve not done what  we need to do.”

Director of Mental Health Services, Dr. Naomie Jn Baptiste, says the training provides another  opportunity to strengthen the capacity of health professionals to promote and protect the rights of  people living with mental health conditions. “I am confident that you will find this training  both interesting and rewarding, just as many of us did when we participated in the first phase  of the quality rights training in October 2025. I believe that this workshop will provide another  valuable opportunity to deepen our knowledge and strengthen our capacity to promote and  protect the rights of persons with mental health conditions. The Ministry of Health, Wellness  and Nutrition greatly appreciates the support of the Pan American Health Organization in  facilitating this important activity.” 

As Saint Lucia continues to strengthen its mental health services, initiatives such as the WHO  Quality Rights Training Workshop are important in promoting a system where quality care and  human rights go hand in hand.