Panama’s Ministry of Health (Minsa) has launched a new national campaign called “Suéltalo” — Spanish for “Let It Go” — in observance of the International Day for the Prevention of Suicide. The campaign invites Panamanians to release the emotional burdens they carry and to share messages of hope for those struggling with mental health challenges.
What Happened
The campaign was unveiled by the Ministry of Health to mark the International Day for the Prevention of Suicide, which is observed around the world each year on September 10. As part of the launch, citizens participated by expressing messages of encouragement and hope aimed at people dealing with a wide range of emotional burdens, from stress and anxiety to grief and depression.
The name “Suéltalo” reflects the campaign’s central message: letting go of the weight of emotional pain rather than carrying it alone. Through public participation, Minsa aims to open a national conversation about mental health and to remind Panamanians that support is available for those in crisis.
Background
The International Day for the Prevention of Suicide is a global observance promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention. Each year, governments, health organizations, and communities around the world use the date to raise awareness about suicide prevention and to reduce the stigma that often surrounds mental health struggles.
Suicide is recognized by global health authorities as a major public health concern, and WHO has long encouraged member states — including Panama — to develop national prevention strategies, improve access to mental health services, and promote community-based support. Campaigns like “Suéltalo” are part of a broader public health approach that treats mental wellbeing as a shared responsibility, encouraging friends, family members, and neighbors to speak openly and to reach out to those who may be suffering in silence.
Health campaigns of this kind also serve to publicize the help resources that already exist. Panama’s health system offers mental health services through Minsa facilities, and awareness campaigns typically direct people in distress toward those services as well as to emergency support channels.
What This Means for Panama
The “Suéltalo” campaign signals a continued effort by Panamanian health authorities to place mental health on the national agenda. By inviting everyday citizens — not only health professionals — to share messages of hope, Minsa is emphasizing that suicide prevention is a community effort in which anyone can play a role.
For readers, the campaign is also a reminder of the practical steps it promotes: talking openly about emotional struggles, offering support to those who are carrying heavy burdens, and seeking professional help when needed. Reducing stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to treatment, and public campaigns that normalize these conversations can encourage more people to come forward.
In the coming months, it will be worth watching whether Minsa expands the campaign with additional activities, partnerships with schools or community organizations, or broader public education efforts on mental health. For now, the campaign’s launch on the International Day for the Prevention of Suicide sends a clear message to Panamanians: no one has to carry their burdens alone, and letting go begins with talking about them.
Source: Telemetro
This story was originally reported by Telemetro.