Evolution of mental health problems in Latin America over the last five years

Abstract

In the current context, mental disorders have gained greater relevance as high-risk diseases in Latin America, both due to their increasing prevalence and the impact they have on public health and social well-being. The objective of this research is to evaluate advances in the care of mental health problems and the strategies implemented to address them. This research analyzes the evolution of mental disorders in Latin America over the last five years, identifying trends, determining factors, and the responses of public health systems to demonstrate progress in the care of these mental health problems. The study was conducted using a systematic review methodology, following the PRISMA protocol. Articles published in the last five years, written in Spanish and directly related to the topic, were selected and evaluated. The sources consulted included Google Scholar, Scopus, Redalyc, and SciELO. The results showed an increase in the prevalence of mental disorders, associated with factors such as violence, work-related stress, and economic and political instability, trends that worsened with the quarantine imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Likewise, limited accessibility to psychological and psychiatric services was identified, as well as a lack of government initiatives to improve working conditions and stabilize the economy. It is concluded that, despite advances such as telehealth, gaps in mental health care persist, necessitating the implementation of comprehensive, preventive, and contextualized public policies.