Mental health survey in Colombia
27/06/2024
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia, in partnership with the National Consulting Center, conducted a survey in October 2023 to evaluate Colombians’ perception of mental health. The findings of this survey are fundamental for the review of the National Mental Health Policy.
The survey was carried out with 3,430 people over the age of 18 in the following regions: Antioquia, Coffee Axis (Eje Cafetero), Caribbean, Central-East, Central-South, Pacific, and Bogotá.
Key findings
Mental health problems:
66.3% of respondents have faced mental health problems at some point in their lives.
Women (69.9%) and particularly young women (75.4%) reported these problems more frequently.
Settings conducive to mental health problems:
44.5% identified “the home” as the place most prone to mental health problems, a perception more common among women.
Mental health consultations:
70.9% of people reported that they are rarely asked about their mental health during medical consultations, a percentage that rises to 77% in Bogotá.
Evaluation of mental health services:
34.6% rated mental health services as poor, while 24.8% considered them satisfactory.
40.6% had a neutral perception, rating them as average.
Importance of mental health in the health system:
- 93.7% of respondents stated that it is crucial to include mental health in the health system.
Consultations with psychologists or psychiatrists
42% believe that visiting psychologists or psychiatrists contributes to their personal development.
Perception of mental health
50.8% associated good mental health with feeling well and at peace.
49.2% linked it to good physical health.
48.5% related it to the ability to overcome difficulties and maintain the will to live.
Personal mental health status:
60% of respondents considered their mental health to be good or very good.
30% rated it as average, and 10% as poor or very poor.
Responsibility for mental health
57.1% believe that mental health mainly depends on oneself.
Reactions toward people with mental health problems
24.5% try to help, while 22.3% report feeling fear.
Stigma and community participation
83.4% support active community participation in mental health cases.
The results reflect the persistence of stigma and discrimination.
These findings highlight the need to strengthen primary care and community mental health services to ensure access and adequate care for all, while reducing stigma and promoting community participation in mental health care.
Mental health survey in Colombia
27/06/2024
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia, in partnership with the National Consulting Center, conducted a survey in October 2023 to evaluate Colombians’ perception of mental health. The findings of this survey are fundamental for the review of the National Mental Health Policy.
The survey was carried out with 3,430 people over the age of 18 in the following regions: Antioquia, Coffee Axis (Eje Cafetero), Caribbean, Central-East, Central-South, Pacific, and Bogotá.
Key findings
Mental health problems:
66.3% of respondents have faced mental health problems at some point in their lives.
Women (69.9%) and particularly young women (75.4%) reported these problems more frequently.
Settings conducive to mental health problems:
44.5% identified “the home” as the place most prone to mental health problems, a perception more common among women.
Mental health consultations:
70.9% of people reported that they are rarely asked about their mental health during medical consultations, a percentage that rises to 77% in Bogotá.
Evaluation of mental health services:
34.6% rated mental health services as poor, while 24.8% considered them satisfactory.
40.6% had a neutral perception, rating them as average.
Importance of mental health in the health system:
- 93.7% of respondents stated that it is crucial to include mental health in the health system.
Consultations with psychologists or psychiatrists
42% believe that visiting psychologists or psychiatrists contributes to their personal development.
Perception of mental health
50.8% associated good mental health with feeling well and at peace.
49.2% linked it to good physical health.
48.5% related it to the ability to overcome difficulties and maintain the will to live.
Personal mental health status:
60% of respondents considered their mental health to be good or very good.
30% rated it as average, and 10% as poor or very poor.
Responsibility for mental health
57.1% believe that mental health mainly depends on oneself.
Reactions toward people with mental health problems
24.5% try to help, while 22.3% report feeling fear.
Stigma and community participation
83.4% support active community participation in mental health cases.
The results reflect the persistence of stigma and discrimination.
These findings highlight the need to strengthen primary care and community mental health services to ensure access and adequate care for all, while reducing stigma and promoting community participation in mental health care.