The Paraguayan Government is promoting a new mental health policy, in which it integrates mental health and addiction treatment in a decentralised network of the country’s hospital services with a community focus, focused on the person and his environment, and whose validity will be from 2024 to 2030.
This new mental health policy is promoted within the framework of the SUMAR plan, which addresses prevention, treatment and rehabilitation with a comprehensive approach. It will be implemented through the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, and its official launch will be on Monday, August 19.
The new mental health policy is based on four strategic areas: 1) Governance in the field of Mental Health. 2) Network of mental health and addiction services, organized with quality response capacity and focused on the person. 3) Promotion and prevention. 4) Evaluation of quality control, analysis and use of technology in mental health.
Manual for the Mental Health Network
The treatment and rehabilitation axis for social reintegration, part of the SUMAR Plan of the Government of Paraguay, will be in charge of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, with the collaboration of various institutions of the Executive Power.
For the first time, the Ministry of Public Health has approved a manual for the mental health and addictions network, which establishes the integration of these services in the public health network. This initiative seeks to provide care and treatment to people suffering from mental illness and addictions, making visible the need for support in this area.
The treatment and rehabilitation axis of the SUMAR plan focuses on the reintegration of drug users. Coordinated by the Ministry of Public Health, this axis works together with other institutions to offer effective and sustainable treatments. Collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Science is crucial for the prevention of drug abuse, while the Ministry of the Interior leads combat efforts.
Mental Health Rectory across Paraguay
In addition, the new policy establishes the creation of the National Directorate of Mental Health, as the governing and regulatory body, under Law 7018/22. This management will be responsible for coordinating and supervising the implementation of the mental health and addiction policy throughout the national territory.
A main action of the SUMAR plan is the authorization of the DITRES (Specialized Residential Treatment Division) in Piribebuy, Cordillera department; the first public residential center for cessation and rehabilitation of addictions.
This center, financed with funds from Senabico, has a budget of 3,000 million Guaraní per year for five years. The initiative aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for the recovery of people with addictions.
Mental health policy also includes a focus on advocacy and prevention, integrated into the SUMAR plan. Through the different health regions, actions will be implemented to promote mental health and prevent drug abuse.
