The mental health of the population in Peru has been an area of growing concern, with efforts to improve access to services and reduce the associated stigma. Mental well-being around the world is a growing concern thanks to increasing public awareness of the importance of mental health. However, major challenges remain, such as social stigma, lack of access to mental health services, and stress caused by modern demands. In that line, Sapien Labs, a psychological well-being organization based in the United States, launched a recent study about the global mental health landscape.
According to this report, in South America, Brazil and Bolivia lead the list of countries with the lowest levels of mental well-being among their population. The definition of mental well-being according to the World Health Organization (WHO) focuses on the ability to face everyday challenges and actively contribute to society. In a recent investigation, the Index of Mental Health (ISM-MHQ) of half a million people in 71 countries was conducted by Sapien Labs, providing a comprehensive view of mental well-being.
According to the study, Brazil is the Latin American country with the lowest MHQ at only 53%, followed by Bolivia at 60% and Chile at 68%. Peru ranks ninth alongside Colombia with an average MHQ of 77%. The Ministry of Health in Peru reported that in 2013, over 900,000 cases were treated for mental health disorders and psychosocial problems.
On a global scale, Uzbekistan, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil recorded the lowest levels of mental well-being. The report also highlighted that Spanish-speaking Latin American countries ranked higher in mental well-being compared to Anglophone South Asia, Russophone Central Asia, and mainstream Anglophone countries.
Sapien Labs suggests that changes in patterns of social interaction and in the workplace could be factors negatively influencing community well-being. It also points out that increased economic prosperity does not guarantee greater social well-being, as certain elements such as early acquisition of smart mobile devices and habitual consumption of processed foods may impact the Mental Health Index in more prosperous nations.