SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " mental " 7,056 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Veteran's suicide on Memorial Day spurs awareness for mental health from Detroit outreach group
Sven Taranto brought wounds both seen and unseen home with him after eight years in the military. While he suffered from the trauma of combat, he also constantly struggled to secure benefits intended for veterans.
5 Questions with Sean Debley, Technical Services Manager, Environmental Health Division
1. As Ventura County heads into summer, what should residents know about ocean water quality and how it’s monitored by the County? As temperatures begin to rise heading into summer, […]
Mental Health Is This Compassionate CEO’s Greatest Business Strategy
Milenthal worked to create a culture where talking about mental health isn’t career suicide — it's just talking.
Mental Health Is This Compassionate CEO’s Greatest Business Strategy
Milenthal worked to create a culture where talking about mental health isn’t career suicide — it's just talking.
Scientists forecast milder Chesapeake Bay dead zone in 2026
Scientists at William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS, FlowWest and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science recently announced that the Chesapeake Bay's annual "dead zone" is expected ...
The business case for mental health: NC Chamber hosts summit highlighting importance of youth well-being
The summit gathered business, health care, and government leaders to discuss the impact of mental health on the state's young people.
The business case for mental health: NC Chamber hosts summit highlighting importance of youth well-being
The summit gathered business, health care, and government leaders to discuss the impact of mental health on the state's young people.
Beyond the Save: Why Mental Health Matters to URFC’s Mandy McGlynn
By: Isabella Rubis The month of May was chosen by Mental Health America in 1949 as a dedicated time to focus on mental wellness. The month-long spotlight is important to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, educate the public and amplify the voices of athletes like URFC goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn
Mental healthcare: psychology clinic location improves access
ECU’s psychology clinic is celebrating 15 years of impact and service to the public in a new, more accessible location.
Brain health is shaped by the interaction of lifestyle, environment and social conditions
Why do some people remain mentally sharp into old age, while others experience cognitive impairments earlier in life? Two recent studies involving Forschungszentrum Jülich provide new answers to this ...
NYC Health + Hospitals to Open Second Bridge to Home Facility in Brooklyn to Expand Transitional Housing Program for Unhoused New Yorkers Diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness - NYC Health + Hospitals
New York, NY – NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that it will expand the Bridge to Home program to Brooklyn, building on the success of the program's
Buffalo Bills Players Talk Mental Wellness During Mental Health Awareness Month!
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson, defensive lineman DeWayne Carter, long snapper Reid Ferguson, offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and safety Wande Owens join Senior Team Reporter Maddy Glab and Head of Performance Psychology & Mental Wel
LA’s program that diverts mental health crisis calls away from police to expand
Trained clinicians with the city’s Unarmed Model of Crisis Response have handled over 20,000 calls since 2024.
Knicks' Mitchell Robinson says 'my mental health is not the best right now'—how experts recommend dealing with stress
NBA Knicks player Mitchell Robinson recently took to social media to say his "mental health is not the best right." That's normal, say experts.
Martin Short, his daughter and the pain of seeing your child suffer
Martin Short said his daughter struggled with her mental health "for a long time." Many other parents can relate to this heartache.
A Ceasefire Alone Won’t Solve Lebanon’s Mental Health Crisis
According to the IRC, half of Lebanon’s population has shown signs of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Are We Still Taking The Wrong Supplements For Our Gut-Health?
Experts question modern gut health and supplement culture, as Professor Paul Clayton of LYMA warns many probiotics and wellness formulas may be fundamentally incomplete.
Commissioner Kevin Boyce discusses ways to address mental health in Franklin County
Beyond the Game: How Utah is Leading the Charge for Mental Health and Performance in MLS and NWSL
By Isabella Rubis Mental health in sports is an increasingly important topic, highlighting the psychological challenges athletes face both on and off the field as they strive for peak performance while navigating intense pressure and public scrutiny. Through the partnership with Intermountain Health, Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC
Drexel Study Reveals How People Use AI for Mental Health Support — And Their Concerns About It
As more people turn to artificial intelligence chatbots for emotional and mental health support, a new study from Drexel University suggests that most users see these tools as supplements to — not substitutes for — human therapy. Drawing on millions of Reddit posts, the study highlights both the growing appeal of AI support tools for emotional reassurance, coping and practical guidance, as well as the concerns users express about emotional dependence, misinformation and overreliance on the technology.
Rethinking Alcohol: Societal Costs, Health Risks, and Recovery
The O’Neill Institute believes that the law is a fundamental tool for solving critical health problems.
Schaeffler and Spire Global Partner to Build European Space Business
The partnership will develop space hardware subsystems, satellite platforms, and advanced radio frequency and environmental sensing capabilities.
UTC graduate student recognized for her research in geospatial data science
Research allows students to gain hands-on experience in their field by developing knowledge and skills as they pursue their degrees. For University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate research assistant Mimi White, research has helped her discover a new passion and deepen her understanding of the field as she pursues her Master of Science in Environmental Science.
419 FW and 151 ANG Advocates tackle mental health: briefs Utah clinicians
As mental health professionals from across Utah gathered for the University of Utah College of Social Work’s Continuing Education Unit Institute on May 13, behavioral health leaders from the military community took the virtual stage to shed light on a critical but often misunderstood population: Reservists and Guardsmen.
Public Health Graduate Students Reflect on Their Capstone Experience - University of New Haven
Candidates in the University of New Haven’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program applied classroom learning to real-world public health projects focused on mental health, food insecurity, and community-health assessment.
2026 Maternal Mental Health State Report Cards Released: the U.S. Receives an “F” on New Parental Support Measures | Milken Institute School of Public Health | The George Washington University
While the overall U.S. maternal mental health grade improved slightly from a C- to C, it received an “F” on new “parental support,” paid leave, and childcare measures.
Raising awareness, not alarm on teen mental health
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in kids aged 10 to 14.
Football: Naomi Girma opens up about player mental health: “Being an athlete is built on pressure”
Olympic gold medallist and USWNT star Girma has been a vocal advocate for addressing mental health issues in football.
Parental mental health — not medication — drives autism correlation, study finds
A new study finds no evidence that antidepressant medications cause autism.
New teen mental health first aid training focuses on peer support
A new teen mental health first aid protocol is rolling out ahead of next school year, and a statewide organization is looking to extend that training to school communities across New York state.
Analysis Of Anthropic Claude System-Prompt Instruction That Shapes The Handling Of AI Mental Health Chats
Anthropic Claude provides open access to their system-wide prompt. I analyze the portions dealing with AI mental health guidance. An AI Insider analysis and scoop.
Aetna donates $130,000 to Kansas City organizations to support nutrition, mental health, maternal health and health-related social needs
Aetna Better Health of Missouri partners with five community-based organizations to improve health outcomes in the Kansas City, Missouri area.
Letter to the editor: Modernizing mental health care
As Pennsylvania approaches the 50th anniversary of the Mental Health Procedures Act, we must consider whether this law still effectively supports the state’s...
Barcelona, the oil business, and sportswashing allegations in the Amazon
Indigenous communities accuse a partner of Barcelona's Foundation of environmental damage that threatens their traditional way of life
London NHS trust rolls out animal therapy for mental health
Katia Stanford takes Ruby on to hospital sites to work with people with various mental health needs.
Sleep doctor reveals the brutal health downside of daylight saving time
Dr. Wendy Troxel says permanent daylight saving time is not supported by science and could harm sleep, mental health and safety for millions of Americans.
Performing mental activities while sitting can decrease risk for dementia
PSU graduate program focuses on mental health of infants and toddlers
The Infant/Toddler Mental Health graduate certificate is designed to help educators, social workers, counselors and other early childhood specialists foster strong connections between caregivers and their children during the earliest stages of life.
Humanity has already exceeded Earth’s limits, study warns
Humanity may already be living far beyond what Earth can sustainably support, according to a sweeping new study analyzing more than 200 years of population and environmental data. Researchers found that while population growth once fueled innovation and expansion, the trend shifted decades ago as the planet’s resources became increasingly strained.
Teenage patients 'ignored' before fatal NHS trust failures
Mental health patients say nobody listened to their concerns about a north-east England trust.
Graduate Exhibition Showcases Intersection of Health, Technology, Art, Design
From digital data and technology to the environment, healthcare and the body, graduate students from across the College of Letters and Science at University of California, Davis, are pushing boundaries with their experimental research and creative expression. The results, varied in medium and discipline, will be on display at the Arts & Humanities 2026 Graduate Exhibition.
First CALL: Shaker Heights to ‘temporarily’ oversee mental health response program
A likely expansion of the First CALL mental health crisis response program could nearly double the number of participating cities from five to nine -- and perhaps more.
UC Davis Researcher Explores How Brain Development Shapes Teen Mental Health
Amanda Guyer, professor in the Department of Human Ecology and a faculty researcher at the Center for Mind and Brain, is helping uncover how brain development influences the way children and adolescents respond to social and emotional challenges. She is this month’s guest on Face to Face With Chancellor May.
ETSU launches new disaster sciences graduate degree
ETSU’s new graduate degree prepares students for careers in environmental health, disaster resilience and public health.
Mental Health and the Summer Transition | The Post | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth
It's the start of summer for many families in North Texas. Jake Minton from St. John's in Dallas joins The Post to talk about the transition to summertime and checking in on your child.
Visiting students explore sustainability through physics REU program
Students visiting Penn State for its Physics Research Experiences for Undergraduates program not only conduct hands-on research, but also explore the environmental, social and global impacts of that research. The program, hosted by the Department of Physics in the Eberly College of Science and the Center for Nanoscale Science, supports students from across the country who may not otherwise have access to research opportunities.
A Marine mom’s mission to protect service members’ mental health | FOX 13 Tampa Bay
After losing her son, Sgt. Anthony Patrick Muhlstadt, to suicide, Tanya Mort is honoring his life by helping service members and veterans find mental health support.
BU’s Online MBA Program Offers Professionals More than Business Fundamentals
Having just celebrated its fifth anniversary, Questrom’s OMBA program that combines real-world insights with collaborative learning boasts over 3,000 alumni worldwide
EPA Extends TSCA Health and Safety Reporting Rule Deadline to 2027
What: On May 22, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extended the Toxic Substances Control Act’s (TSCA) Health and Safety Data Reporting rule deadline to May 21, 2027.Why: The Health and Safety Data Reporting rule was finalized in la
Mental Health Matters: Three Stress Strategies For Women In Leadership
Burnout among women leaders is at a 5-year high. Three stress-management strategies to enhance clarity, confidence and steadiness under increasing pressure.
Portland clinic helps Asian immigrants navigate life and mental health amid immigration enforcement fears
Founded in 1983, the Asian Health and Service Center in Southeast Portland provides mental health counseling and other support services, as providers say immigration crackdowns have heightened fear and worsened mental health challenges among some immigrant patients.
From smart agriculture to mental health: These are the New U.S.-Israel projects set to receive $7.5 million from the BIRD Foundation
On May 5, 2026, the Board of Governors of the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation approved grants totaling $7.5 million for seven new projects between U.S. and Israeli companies. In addition to BIRD funding, the projects will leverage private-sector investment, resulting in a combined investment of $20 million across all projects.
Large Hadron Collider detects strange particle behavior that could rewrite physics
Scientists working at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider may be seeing the strongest hints yet of physics beyond the Standard Model — the decades-old theory that explains the fundamental particles and forces of the universe. By studying incredibly rare particle transformations called “penguin decays,” researchers found behavior that doesn’t fully match theoretical predictions, raising the possibility that unknown particles or forces are influencing the results.
Mental Health Law Needs a Family Bill of Rights
More consensus is emerging that mental health law should better inform and engage loved ones of those with serious mental illness.
Should Mississippi voters choose their politicians, or politicians choose their voters?
Mississippi Today's politics team gives a rundown on a monumental week in the Magnolia State that saw thousands of people marching and rallying in Jackson over voting rights and the gerrymandering battle embroiling much of the nation.
President Trump Abandoned Environmental Justice Communities. Scientists Can Fill the Void.
Scientists have a duty to support communities with their unique set of tools and expertise.
How can Colorado help kids facing mental health struggles? These teens have ideas for the next governor.
If the next administration does not hatch a plan to help kids in the thick of mental health challenges, “we will lose this generation,” one mental health expert said.
Virginia faces mental health provider shortages as Hampton Roads residents struggle to navigate care
In Hampton Roads, mental health providers say many people seeking care still end up in emergency rooms.
Therapists are using AI to take notes. Is it a useful tool or a breach of trust?
New companies are selling artificial intelligence assistance to mental health therapists. The AI tools can help with administration and recordkeeping, but some patients worry about their privacy.
Final plans approved for Oklahoma City mental health crisis center
The Oklahoma County Council approved final plans for the new Robert Ravitz Crisis Center last week.
Optima Health Leads These 3 Undiscovered Gems in the United Kingdom
As the United Kingdom's major indices, including the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250, face headwinds from weak global cues and faltering trade data from China, investors are increasingly looking beyond blue-chip stocks to uncover opportunities in smaller companies. In this climate of uncertainty, identifying undiscovered gems like Optima Health involves focusing on firms with strong fundamentals and growth potential that can weather broader market challenges.
Camp Zama Soldiers Connect With Community at Mental Health Awareness Fair
Camp Zama’s Army Substance Abuse Program hosted a Mental Health Awareness Day event May 20 to provide various information and resources for community me...
Bikers’ mental health project set to raise £100k
Bikers are improving mental health and raising £100k through a growing cafe passport scheme.
WTAP + | Mental Health Mondays: What to Know about Schizophrenia
Our Andrew Noll sat down with Rachel Schieding of Westbrook Health Services to discuss Schizophrenia.
Advancing high-threat pathogen preparedness in WHO South-East Asia Region: 2025 in review
Effective preparedness for high-threat pathogens demands more than technical tools — it requires a coherent strategy, sustained country engagement, and the institutional infrastructure to translate evidence into action. In 2025, the Pandemic and Epidemic Management (PEM) Unit advanced all three, working across the full spectrum of high threat pathogen (HTP) preparedness: from methodology development and evidence generation to country-level technical support, emergency response, and regional workforce strengthening.At the core of the PEM unit's work is building the regional evidence and policy architecture needed to prioritize and respond to HTPs systematically. A major milestone was the development of the HTP Prioritization Methodology — a structured, multi-criteria approach to ranking pathogens by epidemic potential, severity, and national context — and its national pilot in Bangladesh, where SARS-CoV-2, Nipah, dengue, and cholera emerged as the highest-priority threats, informing the PEM unit's contribution to 2026–27 biennium prioritization and workplan development (Access link here).Underpinning this work, the PEM unit advanced the peer-reviewed evidence base for HTP preparedness in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR), with three publications in international journals in 2025: Development of a zoonotic influenza distribution assessment and ranking system (ZIDAR): Technical application in Nepal to support cross-sectoral risk-based surveillance in One Health; Implications for influenza A virus surveillance in Southeast Asian Region countries: a scoping review of approaches for the surveillance of swine influenza viruses at human-swine interfaces in BMJ Public Health; and Operationalizing multisector partnerships: a Theory of Action and Reflection tool for zoonotic influenzas in Health Policy and Planning. Together, these contributions move the Region’s HTP preparedness agenda from practice to science — generating the transferable methodological foundations that will inform evidence-based capacity strengthening in Member States.Country-level engagement in 2025 reflected the breadth of contexts in which HTP preparedness must function. Technical support was provided for Mpox and cholera events across the Region, including coordination of cholera and acute watery diarrhea prevention and control in Myanmar in the wake of the March 2025 earthquake. In Myanmar, the PEM unit contributed technical leadership to the earthquake emergency response — one of the most complex humanitarian emergencies in the SEAR — as Health Operations and Technical Support lead within the Incident Management Support Team. This included strengthening emergency response planning, supporting operational and after-action reviews, and providing monitoring and evaluation support for both acute and protracted crisis response. The breadth of HTP support provided to emergency operations across the SEAR was documented in the PEM unit’s contribution to the regional report for the Health Security Interface Technical Advisory Group.In Sri Lanka, technical collaboration with the WHO Country Office and the Ministry of Health laid the groundwork for the National Steering Committee's 2026 annual meeting, development of Standard Operating Procedures for specialized emergency response, and a national training programme — all structured around evidence-based risk assessment for specialized hazards including HTPs.Across the SEAR, the unit contributed to strengthening the workforce architecture that underpins HTP response. Technical inputs shaped the WHO South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Workforce Strategy 2025–2030, and the PEM unit supported conceptual development of the health emergency workforce framework for the Pandemic Fund Round 3 proposal.Alongside this, the unit's sustained engagement on the meningitis agenda culminated in the launch of the Regional Implementation Framework to Defeat Meningitis in South-East Asia by 2030 at the Seventy-eighth Session of the Regional Committee, ensuring the Region's priorities were reflected in the Global Technical Task Force and expanding the unit's HTP engagement beyond outbreak-prone zoonotic pathogens (Regional Implementation Framework to Defeat Meningitis in South-East Asia by 2030).Taken together, 2025 demonstrated that meaningful HTP preparedness is built incrementally — through methodology, engagement, and the steady accumulation of institutional capacity across Member States.Bangladesh piloted the HTP Prioritization Methodology and identified the highest-priority pathogens in the country context (Photo credit: WHO Country Office, Bangladesh).
Creative compassion: Scatter Joy Project Founder Zach Thompson brings mental health advocacy to his hometown
Class of 2008 Marshalltown High School (MHS) graduate Zach Thompson, who went on to play baseball at Marshalltown Community College (MCC) before relocating to his current home state of Ohio, started the Scatter Joy Project in Columbus as part of an effort to destigmatize conversations around mental health and highlight the intersection between mental health […]
Barricade case ends without incident; individual to receive medical, mental health care
An hours-long standoff on West Washington Center Road Monday ended without incident after first responders persuaded a male who said he was armed to come out.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue expands mental health support with paid leave, new wellness app
The Birmingham City Council recently approved paid mental health leave for members of the department.
'Walk for hope, healing and support for mental health' — Miles for Minds set for May 30
The Foundation at Murray-Calloway County Hospital will hold a one-mile community walk on Saturday, May 30, benefiting the hospital's mental health services and programs.
Freeport Memorial Day event spreads mental health awareness
Dozens gathered Monday in Freeport’s Arts Plaza for an event that combines a Memorial Day ceremony with mental health awareness.
Mental Health Monday: Children’s Services
Chelsea Bly, the Associate Director of Children’s Services at Valley Health, joined Holly Baratta to tell us about the available children’s services at Valley Health.
New pilot program helps educators recognize behavioral health issues, offers resources to find help
A new program is educating educators to identify behavioral health issues in students as the mental health crisis among children continues to grow.
Memorial Day campaign supports veterans’ mental health
The Big Red Barn Retreat is raising money for its Horses for Mental Health campaign, which provides no-cost equine-assisted programs for veterans and first responders.
Sprinkle list: Tampa Bay lands big bucks for Sheriff’s training facility, African American cultural center
Mental health, affordable housing and advanced metering also landed supplemental funds.
SWAT, police respond to mental health crisis in northwest Fort Wayne
Once WANE 15 was on scene, police provided that they were working to help with a mental health crisis.
Exploring Travel Sports: Highs and Lows
Key takeaways:Travel sports present a unique mental health challenge for athletesParents and caregivers need to have an open and honest conversation with how their kids are doingTravel sports can teach resilience, teamwork and camaraderie, says Dr. Jessica Higgs
Exploring Travel Sports: Highs and Lows
Key takeaways:Travel sports present a unique mental health challenge for athletesParents and caregivers need to have an open and honest conversation with how their kids are doingTravel sports can teach resilience, teamwork and camaraderie, says Dr. Jessica Higgs
One type of sitting may pose greater dementia risk than another, study suggests
New research suggests the type of sitting matters for dementia risk, with mentally engaging activities linked to a significant reduction in risk.
Olmsted County Park Rx promotes the outdoors to improve mental health
Park Rx programming exposes students to outdoor activities.
Mental health support program aims to break stigma in Hispanic community
PEARLS well-being sessions offer a non-traditional approach to mental health support.
One-and-Done Heart Disease Prevention? Scientists Show It May Be Possible.
A single infusion of an experimental gene-editing drug seemed to reduce LDL long-term in a small trial. The results may point to something “curative,” one expert said.
One-and-Done Heart Disease Prevention? Scientists Show It May Be Possible.
A single infusion of an experimental gene-editing drug seemed to reduce LDL long-term in a small trial. The results may point to something “curative,” one expert said.
The World Health Assembly adopts updated Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2026–2036)
Geneva, 23 May 2026 – Member States at the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79) adopted the updated Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance (GAP-AMR) 2026–2036, marking a major milestone in the global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and delivering on a key commitment contained in the 2024 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on AMR. The updated plan was developed through a consultative process led by the Quadripartite organizations – FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH – with extensive engagement of Member States and stakeholders across sectors. AMR remains one of the most significant global health and development challenges, affecting humans, animals, plants, food systems and the environment. The updated GAP-AMR provides a comprehensive One Health framework to guide coordinated global, regional and national action over the next decade. It builds on the foundation established by the original GAP-AMR adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2015 while reflecting evolving evidence, lessons learned, and the commitments made at the 2024 UN High-Level Meeting on AMR. During the Assembly, Member States expressed broad support for the updated plan and its strengthened multisectoral and One Health approach. Delegates highlighted the importance of prevention-first interventions, including infection prevention and control, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), vaccination, biosecurity, and environmental measures. They also highlighted the need for responsible, equitable and sustainable use of antimicrobials, strengthened surveillance, innovation, and sustainable agrifood systems. The updated GAP-AMR is intended to serve as the global framework for coordinated action against AMR through 2036. It aims to accelerate global progress towards the commitments and targets agreed by Member States and support countries in developing, implementing and financing ambitious multisectoral national action plans. The plan also reinforces the importance of accountability, monitoring and reporting, sustainable financing, and international cooperation to address AMR through a One Health approach. The adoption of the updated GAP-AMR reflects renewed global commitment to preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobials and safeguarding advances in human, animal and plant health, food security, economic development and environmental sustainability. As implementation begins, continued collaboration among governments, international organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector will be critical to translating commitments into measurable impact. The Quadripartite organizations will continue supporting Member States and partners in operationalizing the updated GAP-AMR and advancing coordinated One Health action against AMR at country, regional and global levels.
Virginia faces mental health provider shortages as Hampton Roads residents struggle to navigate care
In Hampton Roads, mental health providers say many people seeking care still end up in emergency rooms.
Global mental health snapshot: 1.2 billion people are living with mental disorders
Adolescents aged 15 to 19 and women of all ages are the worst affected, especially by anxiety and depression
Budget conference: Lawmakers strike a deal on state parks, environmental projects and kill Ocklawaha River project
A budget deal was reached on how much to fund state parks.
Youth Villages programs help children, young adults navigate mental health challenges
Organization serves more than 1,000 youth and families daily across North Carolina
How Unusual Tuesday became LA's home for misfit artists
In Shadow Hills, LA, 'Unusual Tuesday' at Sun Space offers a unique, church-like haven for experimental and misfit artists.
Experimental Alzheimer’s drug could reduce alcohol withdrawal damage, researchers say
Researchers say an experimental Alzheimer's drug may calm brain inflammation linked to alcohol withdrawal, potentially reducing relapse and neural damage.
Breaking down schizophrenia stigma during Mental Health Awareness Month
As Mental Health Awareness Month enters its final week, one woman is using her experience with schizophrenia to help others and challenge common misconceptions about the illness.
How integrating tradition and self-care has strengthened public health in the Americas
On 13 May 2026, a regional dialogue for the Americas titled, Innovative Experiences to Strengthen Health and Self-Care through Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine, was hosted by EsSalud, the government agency responsible for social security and health care in Peru.The event brought together representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), WHO collaborating centres, the health sector and academia. It presented regional perspectives from BrBolivia, Brazil, Mexico and Peru to explore how self-care and traditional medicine can strengthen public health, empower communities and support more inclusive models of care. Across all four countries, a clear message emerged: traditional medicine is not being positioned as an alternative to formal systems, but as a way to strengthen them. In the Americas region, the challenge is to consolidate intercultural and holistic care, with the aim of strengthening the healthcare system – making care more preventive, culturally relevant and community-based.Peru: institutionalizing complementary care over 28 years Dr Martha Villar López from EsSalud Peru demonstrated how integration can be institutionalized over time. With nearly three decades of investment, including a research programme dating back to 1998, traditional medicine is now embedded within public health infrastructure. EsSalud’s flagship programme, Reforma de Vida, operating as Prevenir, takes multidisciplinary teams into workplaces to reduce and detect risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases. Education cycles are structured around three pillars: celestial nourishment, focused on life purpose and movement; terrestrial nourishment, centred on regional food and healthy diets; and human nourishment, addressing identity, relationships, stress and spirituality. Grounded in Andean cosmovision and the principle of the ayllu, the programme aligns with local cultural values. Since 2007, it has trained over 6600 health leaders, certified more than 3100 health-friendly organizations and built alliances with nearly 11 000 employers.Bolivia: legal recognition and medical pluralism Adelino Pau Carpacheco, an 82-year-old Callawaya healer, described working with more than 220 medicinal plants, supported by deep generational knowledge. Traditional healers and plant medicine are highly respected in the country. Bolivia’s contribution also highlighted the role of policy in enabling integration. Through Law 459, traditional medicine has been formally recognized within a legal framework and led the country to medical pluralism where traditional medicine coexists with biomedicine, and both are now offered free of charge through the public health system. Mexico: preserving Indigenous knowledge and reinventing food culture Mexico presented two complementary approaches focused on knowledge preservation and food systems. In Veracruz, communities partnered with a university to safeguard Totonac traditional medicine through a diploma programme launched in 2019. This collaboration has already produced practical outputs, including manuals and a dictionary, helping to sustain knowledge at risk due to migration and generational change. Alongside this, Dr Hernán García, Directorate of Traditional Medicine and Intercultural Development – Mexico, explained how the Dieta de la Milpa programme addresses Mexico’s dual burden of malnutrition and rising noncommunicable diseases. Rooted in traditional Mayan cultivation systems and ingredients, it promotes healthier diets through community-led, intercultural approaches involving local authorities, Indigenous leaders and cooks. By reconnecting food, culture and health, it offers a practical pathway to prevention. Brazil: community therapy as a public health tool Brazil’s experience centred on Integrative Community Therapy, a methodology developed over 40 years ago by Dr Adalberto Barreto and now used in more than 47 countries. Therapy circles create spaces where participants share experiences and coping strategies, building social support networks at very low cost. Within Brazil’s Unified Health System, the approach has expanded rapidly since its inclusion in national policy in 2017. By 2025, more than five million integrative practice procedures were delivered annually in primary care, with registrations for this therapy increasing by over 500% in eight years. The main challenge now is equity, with access still concentrated in urban areas such as São Paulo. A shared regional direction against a global backdrop Drawing these experiences together, Dr Natalia Aldana of the TCIM Network of the Americas highlighted the shared outcomes of the interventions discussed. Such approaches strengthen healthy behaviours, social networks and community resilience; they are low-cost, adaptable and enable active participation in care, while showing potential to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases.The regional momentum mirrors a broader global shift. Dr João Paulo Souz, Director of BIREME (Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information), the specialized center of PAHO/WHO, emphasized that the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 promotes a vision centred on people, evidence and integrated use. He noted that health should be understood through the relationships between people, community, nature and spirituality. Self-care interventions as a critical pathway towards universal health coverage Dr Manjulaa Narasimhan, Unit Head for Sexual Health and Well-being across the Life-course at WHO, delivered a presentation titled Advancing Self-Care in Traditional Medicine: Aligning the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 with the WHO Self-Care Framework, co-authored by Dr Geetha Krishnan Gopalakrishna Pillai, Unit Head for Research, Data and Innovation at the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre. WHO recommends self-care interventions for every country and economic setting as a critical path to reach universal health coverage – and traditional medicine acts as a bridge for self-care. Dr Narasimhan explained that traditional medicine contributes most effectively to self-care when embedded directly into primary health care, not operating in parallel, siloed systems. This, she stated, “is possibly the only sustainable way to deliver continuity of care that meets the needs, rights and priorities of communities and individuals”. The Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 is a move towards a more people-centred approach to health care that champions holistic approaches to health equity and patient autonomy.The integration of traditional medicine and self-care requires collaboration across disciplines, clear referral pathways, trained health and care workers, and strong leadership that supports integration. The WHO self-care competency framework defines 10 key competencies for health and care workers to support self-care in their clinical practice, supported by the WHO guideline on self-care interventions for health and well-being. These documents help health-care workers safeguard their own well-being and ensure that care is consistent, safe and grounded in shared standards and values.Together, the discussion through this dialogue points to a fundamental shift in how health systems are designed in the region, and globally, towards models that are more inclusive, culturally-grounded and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve. It is a move towards a system where traditional medicine is respected and responsibly integrated, where self-care provides empowerment and evidence-based care, and where health systems are supportive rather than being distant from these systems.Traditional medicine perspectives from Bolivia, Mexico and Peru - WHO's "Restoring Balance" seriesInnovative Experiences to Strengthen Health and Self-Care through Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine was streamed in Spanish, with Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. Recordings are available through the CABSIN YouTube channel with Portuguese subtitles and on the BVS MTCI Americas YouTube channel with Spanish subtitles. Dr Narasimhan’s session can be watched in English on both channels.