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Peru

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: 113, Option 5 (Ministerio de Salud – Línea de Atención Psicológica)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Free and confidential support for individuals experiencing emotional distress. (www.gob.pe/minsa)
  1. Mental Health Helpline:
    • Phone Number: 0800 4 1212 (Instituto Nacional de Salud Mental – Emotional and Crisis Support Line)
    • Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 8 PM, Monday to Saturday
    • Additional Details: Provides psychological assistance and suicide prevention counseling.
  1. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 105 (Police), 106 (Medical Emergencies)
    • Notes: National emergency number for police and ambulance services.
  1. LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: +51 977 726 228 (Presente ONG – LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support Line)
    • Hours of Operation: By appointment
    • Additional Details: Provides counseling and crisis intervention for LGBTQIA+ individuals. (presente.org.pe)
  1. Youth and Adolescent Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: +51 984 270 474 (Ayllu Mental – Youth Psychological Support)
    • Hours of Operation: 9 AM – 6 PM, Monday to Friday
    • Additional Details: Offers free and low-cost psychological assistance for adolescents and young adults. (ayllumantal.org)
Suicide Prevention in Peru

Review of Mental Health Services in Peru by Dr Syntia Laos Mejía

Mental health has been neglected for many years in Peru. Currently, one of three Peruvians suffers from a mental disorder and 80% of people with mental disorders do not receive any mental health attention. The current scenario of political inestability, corruption at different levels and citizen insecurity influence the perception of dissatisfaction and frustration of citizens.

About 10 years ago, the implementation of the Mental Health Reform began with the community model, leading to the progressive increase of the national budget for this sector, as well as the number of specialists (3 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants – 10 psychologists per 100,000 inhabitants) and the implementation of more than 250 community mental health centers (CSMC), which are the mental health specialized care in the first level of attention, with the purpose of bridging the gap in the detection and treatment of mental disorders. These measures are still insufficient.

In 2016, 518 cases of suicide attempts were registered; then until August 2024, there were 1,620 registered cases. According to SINADEF (National Death System), in 2021 the suicide rate in adolescents (12 to 17 years) was 3.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, higher than the national rate of 2.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The average age of people who attempt suicide is between 15 and 29 years; 72.47% of cases correspond to women. The highest percentage occurs in the country’s capital. Of these, 60.43% are students or have completed their higher education. An increase in suicide attempts has been identified in people aged 10 to 14 (predominantly girls).

In addition to mental disorders that influence suicide, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse problems, there are factors such as gender violence, lack of access to mental health services, and the stigma associated with psychological problems, which still represent a challenge for the State.

In regions of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest and the Andes, suicide attempts linked to family, sexual, and partner violence are recorded, possibly associated with a macho culture.

In vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents, there are family conflicts and bullying. In the case of the LGTBIQ+ population, the factors are exposure to violence and discrimination from their environment.

Not to mention that the lack of knowledge of the theme and stigma in the family that translates into a lack of support to follow the indications for the patient.

These needs are being attended in psychiatric units of general hospitals, in the three psychiatric hospitals (concentrated in the capital), and mostly in community mental health centers (CSMC), with 288 nationwide, however it is insufficient, since in practice the deferral time for appointments can be up to more than a month.

To bridge the gap, the Ministry of Health influences interventions such as Clinical Psychosocial Accompaniment (ACP), which is a training in mental health issues from the CSMC for non-specialized first level health establishments, for the prevention, screening and early detection of warning signs and thus be referred to a next level of care.

As well, in training for Community Agents, who are civilians from the district with a vocation to help and time available to act as a link between the neighbors and the mental health establishment.

Likewise, it creates alliances with NGOs such as Socios en Salud, which have personnel capable of providing initial psychological care for any symptoms of mental disorder, including attempted suicide and carrying out the necessary procedures to ensure almost immediate care in a CSMC.

In addition, it has implemented a telephone line 113- option 5, which provides emotional support to the person until they are stabilized, tries to obtain information from a family member and provides guidance on where and how to receive more prolonged and sustained mental health care.

It raises awareness among the population through information campaigns and parades each year commemorating the day of suicide prevention in the month of September, reinforcing slogans that offer openness to seeking help and reducing stigma.

There is still no official artificial intelligence technology in specific to orienting mental disorders. Consider that not all towns in the country have continuous internet or electricity; In many regions the internet signal is poor and some people still do not have smartphones. Even in families in the capital, there is only one cell phone in the family.

Dr Syntia Laos

Dr Syntia Laos is a Progress Guide Pathfinder for Latin America and is overseeing the cultural contextualisation of as well as translation of PROTECT into Spanish. She is passionate about suicide prevention and training up health care staff in recovery oriented practice.

Dr Syntia Laos is a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist with specialist expertise in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Transactional Analysis. Born and raised in Lima-Peru, she has a broad range of experience: Addictions, Psychogeriatrics, Rehabilitation in psychosis and Consultation Liaison Psychiatry to name a few. She enjoys teaching Medical Residents and Psychology students. For the last 4 years she has been practicing in primary mental health centres, bringing care closer to home in the patient’s own communities. Her specialist interests are in transcultural psychiatry and supporting people in their journey of recovery through strategies that promote autonomy and independence.

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 3.8 (2019 data). (worldbank.org)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in Peru remain lower than global averages but have shown an increasing trend, particularly among young people and Indigenous populations.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Higher than females, consistent with global patterns.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Lower overall, though women report higher rates of non-fatal suicide attempts.
  1. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (15–24): Increasing suicide rates due to academic pressure, cyberbullying, and economic uncertainty.
    • Elderly (60+): Suicide rates are linked to social isolation, chronic illness, and financial insecurity.
  1. Urban vs. Rural vs. Indigenous Populations:
    • Suicide rates are higher in Indigenous and rural communities, where access to mental health services is limited.
    • Quechua and Aymara Indigenous groups face cultural and socio-economic pressures contributing to mental health distress.
  1. Special Groups:
    • Indigenous Communities: High suicide rates among Amazonian Indigenous groups due to displacement, poverty, and lack of mental health services.
    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Higher rates of mental health struggles and suicide risk due to discrimination and limited access to support services.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: Peru integrates suicide prevention into its National Mental Health Plan, emphasizing accessibility and early intervention.
  • Key Elements:
    • Expansion of mental health services in hospitals and clinics.
    • Training educators and healthcare professionals in suicide prevention strategies.
    • Implementation of suicide prevention programs in schools and workplaces.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Hablemos de Salud Mental” (“Let’s Talk About Mental Health”) – A national campaign focused on reducing mental health stigma and encouraging open discussions.
  1. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • Youth Suicide Prevention Programs: School-based mental health education and peer support networks.
    • Community Support for Indigenous Groups: Mental health initiatives designed for Indigenous communities to address cultural and social issues contributing to suicide.
  1. Collaborative Efforts:
    • Peru collaborates with WHO, PAHO (Pan American Health Organization), and regional health organizations to improve suicide prevention strategies.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • Telehealth counseling services expanding mental health access.
    • Social media awareness campaigns addressing suicide prevention.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Suicide prevention training for educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders.
    • Peer-support networks for individuals affected by suicide and mental health crises.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • Suicide remains stigmatized, particularly in Indigenous communities where mental health is often addressed through traditional healing practices.
    • Government and NGO efforts are working to improve mental health literacy and reduce stigma.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited national data on suicide among LGBTQIA+ individuals and Indigenous populations.
    • Suicide attempts may be underreported due to cultural stigma and lack of awareness.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Growing investment in digital mental health solutions and telepsychiatry services.
    • Expansion of mental health crisis helplines to reach more communities in need.

References

  1. Peru Ministry of Health (MINSA). (n.d.). National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.gob.pe/minsa
  2. World Bank. (2019). Peru – Suicide Mortality Rate (per 100,000 Population). Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/
  3. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Peru. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. Fundación Presente. (n.d.). LGBTQIA+ Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Support in Peru. Retrieved from https://www.presente.org.pe/
  5. Ayllu Mental. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in Peru. Retrieved from https://www.ayllumantal.org/
  6. PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). (n.d.). Mental Health Policies and Suicide Prevention in Latin America. Retrieved from https://www.paho.org/
  7. UNICEF Peru. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in Peru. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/peru/