In a major push to modernize the nation’s mental healthcare infrastructure, President Luis Abinader and Minister of Public Health Víctor Atallah unveiled a series of strategic advancements on Monday, 9 February 2026. The centerpiece of the announcement is the launch of 8-1-1, a new, simplified emergency hotline for free mental health assistance.
The new 8-1-1 number replaces the previous 10-digit line (809-200-1400) to provide citizens with more immediate access to psychological help. According to Minister Atallah, the service will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing confidential counseling, initial containment, and specialized referrals.
To support this expansion, the Ministry has reinforced its staff with more than 45 clinical psychologists. Early data indicates the high demand for such services: since the expansion began, the hotline system has already handled over 16,000 calls and 5,000 specialized interventions.
Tackling anxiety and stigma
The report comes at a critical time for the country. Minister Atallah noted that 5.7% of the Dominican population currently suffers or has suffered from anxiety disorders, a figure higher than the global average of 4.4%.
“The 811 line ensures that every Dominican knows they have a voice and an immediate response in terms of mental health,” Atallah stated during the presentation at the National Palace. He emphasized that the government is focused on “breaking the stigma” surrounding mental illness and treating it as a chronic, manageable health priority.
Beyond the hotline, the government announced the construction of the National Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, set to begin later this year. Dr. José Miguel Gómez, advisor to the Executive Branch, explained that the institute will be vital for generating scientific data currently lacking in the country.
Additional updates to the national mental health landscape include:
• Expanded capacity: A goal to reach 89 Crisis Intervention Units and increase psychiatric bed availability from 137 to 500 by the end of 2026.
• Community integration: 767 centers nationwide have been trained under the WHO’s mhGAP strategy to bridge mental health gaps at the primary care level.
• Substance abuse focus: New rehabilitation units for detoxification will be opened, addressing the fact that addictions are now the third leading cause of hospital bed occupancy in the country.
President Abinader reaffirmed that these steps, alongside a pending update to the Mental Health Law currently being discussed in the Senate, are part of a broader commitment to ensure “dignified and timely care” for all citizens.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
Noticias SIN
El Caribe
Diario Libre
10 February 2026