There has been a great deal of stigma against mental health problems across the globe. One of the places where mental health problems are still heavily stigmatized is in Latin America and the Caribbean.
While the last few decades have led to a significant increase in the amount of information available to these communities regarding mental health and stigma, the knowledge is yet to be fully implemented in practice.
Changes in Latin American Mental Health
One of the biggest changes in the mental health policy of Latin America occurred in 1990 when the Declaration of Caracas was passed. There were a number of mental health reforms that were implemented through Latin America after this time, each of which had three primary goals:
- To create a system in which mental health was associated with standard health care
- To implement community mental health services throughout Latin America
- To help combat the stigma associated with mental health problems
While the Declaration had a significant impact all throughout Latin America - primarily in Brazil, Panama, and Chile, where mental health services are now relatively common, comparatively - there is still a great deal of stigma surrounding mental health.
The Gap Between Physical and Mental Health in Latin America
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), one of the leading issues preventing Latin Americans from seeking mental health treatment is the perceived gap between the importance of physical and mental health.
For example, a person is much more likely to approach their doctor about a flu or an infection than they are about chronic sadness or anxiety. They may struggle with a mental health problem for many years before considering it serious enough to warrant a visit to the doctor.
A study done by PAHO revealed that there is a significant prevalence of mental health disorders in Latin America. Depending on the country, between 9.3% to 16.1% of the population may struggle with anxiety, substance abuse and drug addiction affects 3.6% to 5.3%, and the overall prevalence of mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders affects between 18.7% to 24.2% of all people.
While more information has been brought to light regarding the importance of mental health, there has not been much change in the Latin American approach to treating mental health.
One of the main reasons for this is because of the massive treatment gap. The treatment gap for adults reaches as high as 73.5%, and for adolescents as high as 82.2%. While more Latin Americans are becoming aware of the importance of treating mental health disorders, there aren’t necessarily more possibilities for them to have these issues treated.
One of the reasons for this is because of the lack of government funding directed towards mental health problems. In Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, less than 1% of the health budget is allocated for mental health. In South America, this percentage is only slightly higher, at 2.10% as of 2013.
How Latin Americans Can Combat the Problem
Fortunately, there are a number of steps that people living in Latin America can do to help improve their mental health on a personal and community level. Here are some of the most simple solutions:
- Seek help from an online counselor. Many bilingual counselors work online and can be reached over the internet. Communicating with a counselor can allow you to receive help from the comfort of your home, by the use of a smartphone or computer.
- Self-educate. Learning about mental health problems and how they work can be one of the best ways to prevent yourself from falling victim to mental health problems. Consider doing research by studying books or researching online.
Conclusion
While more information is becoming available regarding the mental health situation in Latin America, it remains difficult for many people to find treatment here.
Fortunately, it is possible for Latin Americans to take matters into their own hands. Seeking help from a counselor over the internet and self-educating can help combat the mental health problem throughout Latin America.
