The President of the Republic of Peru, Martín Vizcarra Cornejo, led the installation of the National Council for Mental Health (CONASAME) today. The ceremony began at 8:30 a.m. at the Government Palace’s Grand Dining Room, as part of a new session of the Council of Ministers. CONASAME aims to continue strengthening and expanding mental health services throughout the country. This is one of the goals established in President Vizcarra’s Government Policy.

Let us remember that in March, the regulations for Law No. 30947 – the Mental Health Law – were approved, along with the creation of CONASAME. “The development and approval of a National Mental Health Policy has been established, which was previously considered as a component of the National Health Policy. In this case, we will provide it with priority and specialized attention. Likewise, in order to oversee the implementation of the Mental Health Policy, the creation of the National Council for Mental Health has been established,” stated Vicente Zeballos, the then President of the Council of Ministers.

CONASAME reflects the Government’s concern and commitment regarding mental health, especially within the context we are currently experiencing, where 7 out of 10 Peruvians report that their mental health has been affected by the pandemic and lockdown, according to figures from the Ministry of Health (MINSA). The Government’s commitment is to implement 50 new Community Mental Health Centers and 35 new protected homes in different regions of the country by July 2021.

#EveryoneForMentalHealth

Source: Andina