Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Mental health in Colombia - Statistics & Facts
From the use of marimbas to its portrayal of arepas and toucans, the 2021 Disney animated film Encanto has been acknowledged for its detailed depiction of Colombia’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Simultaneously, based on the country’s history of forced displacement, the film has been praised for engaging with a more universal topic: mental health. While not always linked to armed conflict, mental health struggles are not foreign to the Colombian population. In fact, feelings of worry or nervousness, the most prevalent possible symptoms of a mental health condition among Colombians, are present in four out of ten people. In the city of Santa Marta this is true for eight in every ten individuals, affecting a higher proportion of women than that of men.
When looking at data gathered through remote care services provided by the Colombian government, the main reasons for seeking professional support when dealing with mental health related symptoms are the manifestation of feelings such as anxiety and stress. Depression is also among the most common reasons for seeking professional guidance. Calls related to different types of violence, and requests for medicine are less common. When it comes to the kind of services provided, over a third of all interventions are associated with follow-up sessions, while just under three in every ten calls are linked to psychological orientation. In contrast, only around seven percent of users ask for general information.
How do Colombians deal with symptoms of mental health conditions?
The most common way in which people in Colombia deal with symptoms of a mental health condition is by talking to family and friends. According to a 2022 survey carried out in the South American country, nearly one third of respondents would resort to their social network when dealing with mental health issues. In comparison, less than a fourth of them would look for specialized professional help, and only one in every ten would discuss the topic with their primary health care provider. Nonetheless, in 2020 over 1.2 million people were treated for a mental health condition in the South American country. This figure compares to 934 thousand patients reported in 2015, an increase of 37 percent within a five-year period. On average, every patient turns to mental health care services five times a year.When looking at data gathered through remote care services provided by the Colombian government, the main reasons for seeking professional support when dealing with mental health related symptoms are the manifestation of feelings such as anxiety and stress. Depression is also among the most common reasons for seeking professional guidance. Calls related to different types of violence, and requests for medicine are less common. When it comes to the kind of services provided, over a third of all interventions are associated with follow-up sessions, while just under three in every ten calls are linked to psychological orientation. In contrast, only around seven percent of users ask for general information.
More psychiatrists, less psychiatric care beds
Regardless of the focus, remote mental health care services are a good example of how the sector has been adapting to a growing demand for mental health care. In fact, the number of hospitals providing psychological guidance in Colombia has been increasing in recent years, rising from 5.8 thousand facilities in 2015 to 7.7 thousand in 2020. This is also the case for the number of psychiatrists. However, the trend does not hold true with respect to the amount of psychiatric care beds, which has decreased over the last few years. As for the different categories of mental health professionals, Colombia had a workforce of approximately 292.87 specialists per 100,000 population in 2020. The majority of them are nurses, followed by psychologists and other specialized mental health care workers. Looking forward, addressing not only quantity, but also quality, accessibility, and environmental factors will be key to a successful mental health policy in the South American country.
