Mobilizing digital technology to implement a population-based psychological support response during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lima, Peru.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused considerable burden on mental health worldwide. To address this emergency in Peru, Socios en Salud (SES) implemented an innovative digital system for the diagnosis and psychological therapy in vulnerable populations. We describe the development, implementation, and participant outcomes of this intervention.

Peru - Progress in health and sciences in 200 years of independence.

Unlabelled: Peru celebrates 200 years of independence in 2021. Over this period of independent life, and despite the turbulent socio-political scenarios, from internal armed conflict to economic crisis to political instability over the last 40 years, Peru has experienced major changes on its epidemiological and population health profile. Major advancements in maternal and child health as well as in communicable diseases have been achieved in recent decades, and today Peru faces an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases including mental health conditions.

Depressive symptoms among Peruvian adult residents amidst a National Lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Population health and well-being in Latin America, the current epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been severely affected during the past semester. Despite the growing evidence about the link between the pandemic, its control measures, and mental health worldwide, there is still no regional evidence of the potential mental health impact. We describe the prevalence and distribution of depressive symptoms across demographic and socioeconomic risk factors in the Peruvian population amidst a national lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qualitative study of the implementation of the Continuity of Care and Rehabilitation Program for people with severe mental disorders in Peru.

Objective: Describe the implementation of the Continuity of Care and Rehabilitation Program (PCC-R) in community mental health centers (CSMCs, Spanish acronym) in Peru.

Methods: Qualitative study of the implementation of the PCC-R in four CSMCs in Lima and La Libertad, Peru. Forty-two individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, as well as a focus group with five participants, for a total of 47 informants, including users, family members, and professionals involved in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the program.

[Qualitative study of the implementation of the Continuity of Care and Rehabilitation Program for people with severe mental disorders in PeruEstudo qualitativo sobre a implementação do Programa de Continuidade de Cuidados e Rehabilitação para pessoas com transtornos mentais graves no Peru].

Objective: Describe the implementation of the Continuity of Care and Rehabilitation Program (PCC-R) in community mental health centers (CSMCs, Spanish acronym) in Peru.

Methods: Qualitative study of the implementation of the PCC-R in four CSMCs in Lima and La Libertad, Peru. Forty-two individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, as well as a focus group with five participants, for a total of 47 informants, including users, family members, and professionals involved in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the program.

Addressing Severe Mental Illness Rehabilitation in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Peru.

Many Latin American countries face the challenge of caring for a growing number of people with severe mental illnesses while promoting deinstitutionalization and community-based care. This article presents an overview of current policies that aim to reform the mental health care system and advance the employment of people with disabilities in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Peru. The authors conducted a thematic analysis by using public records and semistructured interviews with stakeholders.

[Implementation and operation of protected residences for people with serious mental illness in Iquitos, Peru (2013-2016)Implementação e funcionamento de residências terapêuticas para pessoas com transtornos mentais graves em Iquitos, Peru (2013-2016)].

Objective: Evaluate the implementation and operation of protected residences for people with serious mental illness in Iquitos, based on the benefits and perceived improvement in their quality of life.

Methods: Qualitative and cross-cutting study. Thirty-six in-depth interviews of residents, caregivers, neighbors, and health professionals were conducted.

Lessons From Rural Peru in Integrating Mental Health Into Primary Care.

Peru secured a legislative advance for mental health care with a 2012 law mandating that mental health services be available in primary care. One of the main challenges faced by this reform is implementation in remote regions. This column describes a pilot project in Peru that took place from 2010 to 2014 to develop capacity for including mental health services in primary care in one of the most isolated, high-needs regions of the country.

Peruvian Mental Health Reform: A Framework for Scaling-up Mental Health Services.

Background: Mental, neurological, and substance (MNS) use disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide; specifically in Peru, MNS affect 1 in 5 persons. However, the great majority of people suffering from these disorders do not access care, thereby making necessary the improvement of existing conditions including a major rearranging of current health system structures beyond care delivery strategies. This paper reviews and examines recent developments in mental health policies in Peru, presenting an overview of the initiatives currently being introduced and the main implementation challenges they face.