Mental health and equity: Overcoming barriers to accessing mental health services
28/11/2024
Mental health is essential for the well-being of individuals and communities, yet access to psychological services remains a privilege for many. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 8 people worldwide lives with a mental disorder, but more than 70% do not receive the treatment they need due to economic, geographic, and social barriers. This inequality is evident at a global level, highlighting the urgency of addressing these gaps and proposing effective solutions.
What Are the Existing Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services?
Socioeconomic barriers
In Colombia, 27% of the population lives in poverty, making access to private mental health services difficult. Although the public health system offers some coverage, resources are insufficient and wait times can extend for months.
In Latin America, the average expenditure on mental health represents only 2% of the total health budget, limiting the availability of services.
Globally, 80% of low- and middle-income countries have fewer than one mental health worker per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to high-income countries, which have 40 per 100,000.
Geographic barriers
In Colombia, most psychologists and psychiatrists are concentrated in major cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, leaving rural and remote areas with minimal coverage.
In Latin America, more than 30% of the population lives in rural areas, where the shortage of professionals and resources worsens the problem.
According to the WHO, more than 50% of the world’s population lacks access to basic mental health services due to their geographic location.
Cultural and social barriers
In Colombia, stigma remains a significant barrier; 65% of people with mental disorders do not seek help for fear of being judged.
In Latin America, cultural prejudices reinforce the idea that mental health problems should be solved “in private” or that they are signs of weakness.
Globally, cultural diversity in mental health services is limited, leading to a disconnect between patients and professionals.
Digital barriers
Although telemedicine is growing in Colombia and across the region, only 60% of rural households have internet access, limiting the reach of teleconsultation.
In Latin America, the lack of technological infrastructure and digital literacy excludes large segments of the population from these innovations.
Solutions for equitable mental health
Overcoming barriers to accessing psychological services requires a comprehensive approach. At BeFree, we offer innovative solutions that include economically accessible services, virtual care nationwide, culturally competent training for our professionals, and technology platforms designed for communities with limited connectivity. These initiatives complement global and regional efforts, such as public mental health policies in Colombia and other Latin American countries, awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, and the promotion of telepsychology as a key tool to close gaps. By combining these strategies, we aim to ensure that psychological care is a right accessible to all.
Equity in mental health is more than an ideal—it is an urgent necessity to guarantee community well-being. The statistics reveal a global crisis that affects millions, but they also show the opportunity to implement innovative and accessible solutions. At BeFree, we continue working to break down economic, geographic, and cultural barriers, ensuring that mental health care is truly a right for everyone.
Mental health and equity: Overcoming barriers to accessing mental health services
28/11/2024
Mental health is essential for the well-being of individuals and communities, yet access to psychological services remains a privilege for many. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 8 people worldwide lives with a mental disorder, but more than 70% do not receive the treatment they need due to economic, geographic, and social barriers. This inequality is evident at a global level, highlighting the urgency of addressing these gaps and proposing effective solutions.
What Are the Existing Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services?
Socioeconomic barriers
In Colombia, 27% of the population lives in poverty, making access to private mental health services difficult. Although the public health system offers some coverage, resources are insufficient and wait times can extend for months.
In Latin America, the average expenditure on mental health represents only 2% of the total health budget, limiting the availability of services.
Globally, 80% of low- and middle-income countries have fewer than one mental health worker per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to high-income countries, which have 40 per 100,000.
Geographic barriers
In Colombia, most psychologists and psychiatrists are concentrated in major cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, leaving rural and remote areas with minimal coverage.
In Latin America, more than 30% of the population lives in rural areas, where the shortage of professionals and resources worsens the problem.
According to the WHO, more than 50% of the world’s population lacks access to basic mental health services due to their geographic location.
Cultural and social barriers
In Colombia, stigma remains a significant barrier; 65% of people with mental disorders do not seek help for fear of being judged.
In Latin America, cultural prejudices reinforce the idea that mental health problems should be solved “in private” or that they are signs of weakness.
Globally, cultural diversity in mental health services is limited, leading to a disconnect between patients and professionals.
Digital barriers
Although telemedicine is growing in Colombia and across the region, only 60% of rural households have internet access, limiting the reach of teleconsultation.
In Latin America, the lack of technological infrastructure and digital literacy excludes large segments of the population from these innovations.
Solutions for equitable mental health
Overcoming barriers to accessing psychological services requires a comprehensive approach. At BeFree, we offer innovative solutions that include economically accessible services, virtual care nationwide, culturally competent training for our professionals, and technology platforms designed for communities with limited connectivity. These initiatives complement global and regional efforts, such as public mental health policies in Colombia and other Latin American countries, awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, and the promotion of telepsychology as a key tool to close gaps. By combining these strategies, we aim to ensure that psychological care is a right accessible to all.
Equity in mental health is more than an ideal—it is an urgent necessity to guarantee community well-being. The statistics reveal a global crisis that affects millions, but they also show the opportunity to implement innovative and accessible solutions. At BeFree, we continue working to break down economic, geographic, and cultural barriers, ensuring that mental health care is truly a right for everyone.