Legal Aid Society wins global mental health award
The Sociedad para Asistencia Legal (Legal Aid Society) of Puerto Rico has received international recognition for its Mental Health Legal Assistance Program (PALPSM, in Spanish), becoming the first Puerto Rican organization to win the Project of the Year award from the International Institute of Legal Project Management.
SAL said the award highlights the program’s management model as an international example in justice and public administration.
“This award is a testament to the power of innovation in the service of human dignity,” said Alejandra Belmar-Jiménez, executive director of the society. “It shows that a management model focused on the individual, equity and rehabilitation not only results in more effective judicial processes but also transforms lives.”
Created in April 2023, the program provides free, specialized legal representation for people with mental health conditions. Since its launch, the program has offered legal aid to 5,431 people, guided more than 32,000 family members and defended rights in more than 20,000 court hearings. Its team of lawyers and social workers has devoted more than 65,000 hours and organized 431 educational events.
“This award is a recognition of the vision and work of our entire team,” said Ferdinand López-Colón, program coordinator. “Access to justice must be sensitive, dignified and transformative.”
