Greisy Trejo, a 42 year-old nurse from Panama, has drawn on painful experiences of her own to become a fervent champion for others who are vulnerable.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, she overcame poverty and inequality to train as a community-based health carer. Then in 2010, gender-based violence, widowhood and her son’s attempted kidnapping forced her to leave Venezuela to start a new life in Spain. 

Here she continued helping the most vulnerable as a Red Cross volunteer. She then became a staff member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), where she is pioneering the drive in the Americas Region for more comprehensive mental health care as part of Universal Health Coverage. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Greisy has led a historic transformation of the Red Cross to provide more inclusive mental health services for people across the Americas – especially indigenous people, migrants, LGBTQ people, and those who are victims of violence or isolation. Peer support work; the exchange of experiences; using tech solutions to reach those in need of care; new training content and innovative methodologies – all are a part of her legacy.

Greisy continues to work tirelessly to promote a culture of peace, inclusion, equality, and resilience, especially for children. So far, she has supported the training of more than 150 teachers in mental health and psychosocial support. As a result, more than 3,000 children are now better equipped to cope with the distressing impacts of the pandemic. 

‘The new generation is more aware of the importance of mental health,’ says Greisy. ‘They can transform how the world sees this essential part of our wellbeing.’