The Depression It can start at any stage of a person’s development, be it in childhood, adolescence, and old age. Factors to consider in a mental health diagnosis are the frequency and intensity of symptoms; and in the case of depression, episodes can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
According to data from the Ministry of Health (MINSA), In Peru, more than 313 thousand cases of depression were registered during 2021, and only in September 2022, more than 500 people died by suicide were reported, with the main tendency in adolescents and young people. In accordance with Liseth Paulett, dean of the Psychology program at the Scientific University of the Souththese figures reflect the serious consequences of the lack of specialized care and reinforce the need to raise awareness, guide and prevent diseases that affect mental health.
What are the main challenges in fighting depression in our country?
According to the expert, among the main challenges in fighting depression in the country is the persistence of social stigmas about psychological care, since it is believed that only people with these disorders receive guidance, or that this support will last a lifetime because it is incurable. In this sense, it is necessary that the health system as well as the entities in charge of dealing with these patients continue working to standardize care, and establish strategies in conjunction with the educational and clinical part in order to mitigate the consequences of this mental illness.
“In the country there is an average of 30,000 professionals in psychology, a figure that presents a challenge to meet the high demand of patients. For this reason, it is a priority that schools and educational institutions generate programs for the prevention and promotion of mental health”, comments the dean, who also affirms that the authorities should bet on providing decentralized care, especially to people who do not have with financial resources.
At what point in our lives can depression appear?
On the other hand, the expert points out that this disease can start at any stage of a person’s development, be it in childhood, adolescence, and old age. Likewise, among the factors to consider in the diagnosis of mental health are the frequency and intensity of the symptoms; and in the case of depression, episodes can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
“It is necessary to prevent and identify in time the set of signs that people with signs of depression present, in order to provide the necessary support and support. If we observe that there is a high repetition of these manifestations, it is important to remain alert”, highlights the dean.
Depression can occur at any age, you have to be aware of the signs to act immediately. Photo: Pexels.
What are the warning signs that allow us to recognize depression in people?
The specialist introduces us to some of them:
one. Loss of interest in activities that generated pleasure
You no longer find satisfaction in hobbies or hobbies that were carried out in free time, neither do you enjoy spending time with the same people, such as loved ones, friends, or with your partner. On the contrary, there is a tendency to isolation and irritability that affects interpersonal relationships.
2. Drastic changes in daily activities
People suffering from depression may have changes in their appetite, such as increased or decreased food intake. They also present changes in sleep, with a greater tendency to take more hours of rest than usual, lack of concentration in their activities, and carelessness in grooming habits is common.
3. Recurring negative feelings and thoughts
Another symptom to consider is negative emotions towards oneself or towards others, a feeling of uncertainty and/or a feeling of constant hopelessness that anguishes the person who suffers from it. In addition, many people with depression also have anxiety as a comorbidity.
If you feel that you have any of these signs or a family member or friend, it is important to go to a health expert to diagnose and start the appropriate therapy. Photo: Pexels.
Why is it important to see a specialist if we have these warning signs?
In this line, the specialist highlights the importance of going to specialists for the diagnosis and the initiation of a treatment according to each patient; Additionally, she provides recommendations for the care and prevention of mental health illnesses. “It is important to activate positive emotions and relationships, for example, cultivating healthy environments at work, with the family or with a partner; carry out activities that enhance skills and generate positive emotions such as volunteering or helping people who need it most; have an emotional support network that includes people who contribute to well-being; and seek professional help when required or in a preventive way ”, she emphasizes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is necessary to care for the person’s own well-being, attending to the positive emotions and relationships that contribute to the quality of life; since not only the population that presents this diagnosis must follow a specialized follow-up, but it is also necessary to promote prevention measures.
The importance of a good training of mental health specialists
According to the spokesperson, previously only clinical or educational psychology was known; however, today there is a range of professionals that has expanded into specialties, such as sports, organizational, and forensic psychology, among other areas. “This responds to the fact that it has been shown that we all need care for our well-being and specialized care,” emphasizes the dean.
Faced with the deficit of specialists, it is important to prioritize the training of professionals who are trained in new methodologies to address the challenges of mental health in Peru. “For example, at the Universidad Científica del Sur we train our professionals from the perspective of Positive Psychology and a humanistic perspective, which prioritizes the care of the population and that of the specialists themselves, in order to contribute as agents of change who have a look in favor of the community and develop a fundamental role from empathy to activate an involvement according to the understanding of the needs of the environment”, concludes Paulett.
Support networks with specialists
For free telephone guidance on mental health, you can call the Ministry of Health’s free line 113 option 5 or go to the nearest health center, which you can consult by entering http://www.minsa.gob.pe/salud-mental/.
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