Dominican Republic launches national mental health campaign

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Public Health has launched a national communication campaign titled “¿Cómo estás realmente?” (How are you really?), under the slogan “Habla, sana y vive” (Speak, heal, and live). Led by Minister of Public Health Dr. Víctor Atallah, the initiative aims to promote emotional well-being, encourage empathetic listening within communities, and reduce the social stigma associated with seeking professional psychological or psychiatric help.

The campaign focuses on identifying early warning signs of emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. To support this, the government is deploying audiovisual spots, educational talks, and digital content across the country. The Ministry also highlighted the availability of a free helpline, 711, to provide timely professional guidance.

Dr. Atallah emphasized that mental health is an indispensable part of integral well-being and urged citizens to treat mental health conditions with the same naturalness as any other medical specialty. The initiative seeks to strengthen community and family ties to ensure that individuals do not face emotional challenges in silence.