The Organization of the American States (OAS) is an organization created to promote human rights, foster economic and social development, and strengthen democratic ideals in the Americas. They convene not only to promote progressive ideals in the Western hemisphere as a whole—but to also strengthen democratic ties among each country. Its latest initiative involves a prominent mental health improvement initiative sweeping across the continents.
Why Mental Health is Now a Priority
As a top priority of the OAS General Assembly, the mental health triumphs and worries of American countries were discussed alongside the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The detriments of uncared-for mental health issues are chilling: an estimated 703,000 worldwide commit suicide each year, 1 in 3 women along with 1 in 5 men have depression, and from an economic standpoint, untreated mental health concerns will cost the global economy more than $16 trillion by 2030 due to productivity and other various factors.
The causes of such mental disorders vary greatly depending on each individual’s socioeconomic situation, geographic location, and even cultural norms around receiving necessary care. Especially today, social media causes an influx of constant negative news; day after day, people are inclined towards cynicism due to the turmoil that social media thrives off of—a true mental burden. So while limiting the causes of mental disorders is nearly impossible, what the Americas were found to lack was formal and effective care to address these concerns.
Ways the government can support mental health initiatives include: federal policies to make it a top priority within controllable areas such as the workplace and school, grants and other funding to support existing organizations with this mission, and making care more accessible both fiscally and physically. These are all areas that countries across the Americas could improve.
The good thing is now they’re starting to try.
OAS’s New Initiative
To address the uptick of mental health concerns post-COVID, in 2023, PAHO issued a document on recovery strategies. In continuation of those strategy outlines, the Prime Ministers of Antigua and Barbuda co-hosted the 55th General Assembly of the OAS.
According to PAHO, there are three main objectives of this assembly: the first is to set a precedent for the upcoming high-level UN meeting regarding mental health. These meetings set the groundwork for major action—funding progressive mental health endeavors on national and international levels requires large donations procured at high-level UN assemblies. Achieving widespread agreement within the Americas at the OAS meeting increases the likelihood of engagement and donations for the later conventions.
The second objective is to pinpoint the exact barriers of each country in achieving better mental health support at the global level. Countries are given a platform to be more vulnerable than usual; in a world dominated by power plays and cold strategy, this assembly encourages discussion and regional support. With a mix of self-reflection and external support, tangible action is to be expected.
The third and final objective, a little similar to the second, emphasizes regional cooperation to address mental health concerns. It’s important that while each enforcement plan is tailored to the country’s specific needs, the Americas evolve together. Exchanging strategies, giving funding, and researching joint policies are part of what the OAS assembly offers. It strengthens the diplomacy of the region by countering a widespread issue together.
The Outcome
While it seems that a plan of action has yet to be put out, it shows a great step forward that countries are unearthing the undermined topic of mental health. Shining a global spotlight on it ensures that whatever the future of mental health aid may be, it is being taken seriously now and will only continue to improve through the efforts of our governments.