Mental Health Laws In Peru

Mental Health Laws in Peru

Introduction

The current situation of the care of the human mind is an important pillar of the conditions in which most Peruvians find;However, not everyone receives adequate professional attention. So, on May 23, 2019, the Government published the Mental Health Law, in the Official Gazette El Peruano. With this law, society will have greater access to prevention and mental health treatment.

Developing

As is known, mental health is a central component of human development, this will depend on how one feels in front of himself and in front of other people, for this reason, this law will allow to achieve a better service in the country, basedin a family and community approach, as well as the mandatory respect for the human rights and dignity of the person. Similarly, it also implies the responsibility of all sectors and society to be the means for progress.

According to figures published by the Ministry of Health (Minsa). “In 2018, the different mental disorders, become the first cause of years of lives that have been lost, while science advances, disorders were better recognized, and classified by names, for this reason, it should not cause surprisethat cases also increase ".

The norm points to us that every person, without any discrimination, has the right to enjoy mental health. In addition, the State guarantees the availability of programs and services so that they have adequate attention throughout the national territory.

Likewise, the law allows private insurance that does not cover treatment or consultation in psychiatry, now they do it, likewise, every citizen will have the right to freely and voluntarily access public and private mental health services, depending on their insurance.

 This law was also based on the case of people who do not have the necessary resources, since one of the main problems to access mental health care is the economic aspect, which is why, people in povertyor extreme poverty that suffer some kind of mental condition and do not have insurance, will be included in the Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS). Also, public and private health insurance must cover this type of care within their plans, including outpatient or hospitalization treatment, as well as access to medicines. Private insurance companies will be obliged to provide coverage for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients.

On the other hand, Peru has 103 community mental health centers, located in various regions of the country, which are primary and essential components of integrated health networks, through these almost 2 million people have been treated and callMuch attention that 70% of patients are children and young people under 18 years old.

Mr. Yuri Cutipé, current director of the Ministry of Health and Specialist in Children and Adolescents in Mental Health, said that: “In some way or another it is good news, because it not only reveals that there are problems, but also for the concern of parentsfor dealing with this situation and thus give your children the corresponding help ".

In this regard, it is very favorable that the law has included in one of its articles, studies and talks on mental health in educational centers, basic education, as superior, since, according to different studies it is known that most children, adolescentsAnd young people are more likely to suffer from mental disorders, due to emotional problems, such as depression or anxiety linked to family conflicts, followed by behavioral problems, learning and development, such as autism, mental retardation, etc.

In these aspects, the law is positive, since it seeks the benefit of patients. However, it presents a problem. On the "competence for diagnosis", which is signed in art.25, in which it is stipulated that this will be carried out by a collegiate psychiatrist and, in the absence of this, a collegiate surgeon.

Before this law is promulgated, the College of Psychologists of Peru, warned that the work of these professionals in mental health was not being taken into account and that the creation of vacancies for the residence in Psychology was not being promoted. The dean of this school, Luis Pérez Flores, sent a trade to President Martín Vizcarra asking him to observe this rule, but in the end he promulgated.

Currently, there are approximately 30 thousand collegiate psychologists in the country, but the Peruvian population exceeds 32 million inhabitants. The Dean of the Faculty of Psychology of San Marcos, Alberto Quintana Peña, said that: ‘There is a lotadequate ‘. It is necessary that the Mental Health Law includes the work of all professionals in mental health, for the benefit of patients.

conclusion

In conclusion, this law benefits much of society, since it provides great support in terms of its progress and development in the field of mental health, on the other hand;adjacent institutions could be convened to promulgate and/or support this development;And thus be able to improve the different needs that our society may present,

It is worth mentioning that day by day people present complications for the different factors;whether work, personal, etc.;that affect their daily routine, for this reason they are encouraged to participate or integrate the various programs that help prevent, so that they can have a better treatment and rehabilitation in mental health.