# Mental health trends in Chile and Peru

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mental-health-trends-in-chile-and-peru
> Updated: 2026-10-08T08:35:19.000Z. Sources: 350. Developments: 2.

Data from the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey in Peru indicates that 14.1% of women aged 15 and older experienced a depressive episode in the last twelve months, a rate significantly higher than the 6.8% reported for men. Regional data shows higher proportions in the highlands (13.9%) compared to the coast (9.7%) or the jungle (8.6%). These episodes were observed across all educational levels, though they were more frequent among those with less schooling. Subsequent reports indicate that mental health indicators have reached critical levels in both Chile and Peru. In Chile, 18.5% of the population shows signs of mental health issues, with moderate or severe depression affecting 16.2% of the population. Insomnia has risen to 14.3%, and 21.9% of respondents reported feeling lonely. In Peru, Ministry of Health and World Health Organization data suggests one in five people suffers from a mental health disorder, totaling over 6 million individuals. However, only 1.3 million received care at Ministry of Health centers in 2024. To address professional shortages and service gaps, there is an increasing trend toward distance learning in psychology, with some institutions reporting significant increases in remote program enrollments. Recent observations around World Mental Health Day highlight continued deterioration in Chile, where the ACHS-UC Mental Health Thermometer confirms that 18.5% of the population shows signs of mental health issues. Additionally, a Pluxee report notes that half of employees experienced workplace stress in the last year, with Gen Z reporting higher levels of emotional exhaustion and a greater tendency to seek professional help. During recent World Mental Health Day initiatives, the ACHS-UC Mental Health Thermometer reported that the 18.5% of the Chilean population showing signs of mental health issues represents a level of deterioration comparable to the pandemic era.

## Claims

- The World Federation for Mental Health established World Mental Health Day in 1992. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Nearly one in seven people globally live with a mental disorder. (single source)
- Anxiety disorders are the most frequent type of mental disorder. (single source)
- The official theme for 2026 is 'Lived experiences, heard: real voices, real change'. (single source)
- Dementia is a generic term for age-related cognitive decline, whereas Alzheimer's is a specific, frequent condition within that category. (single source)
- The WHO theme for World Mental Health Day focuses on listening to lived experiences. (single source)
- One in seven adolescents aged 10 to 19 presents a mental disorder. (single source)
- In the WHO European Region, approximately 1 in 6 people live with a mental disorder. (single source)
- Up to 1 in 3 people who need treatment for mental health issues do not receive it. (single source)
- 14.6% of people over 15 in Spain presented a depressive episode in the two weeks prior to the survey. (single source)
- The National Administration of Public Education (ANEP) promotes mental health as a human right and shared responsibility. (single source)
- Adolescence should not be pathologized. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-08: World Mental Health Day initiatives focus on stigma reduction and patient voices

Global observances for World Mental Health Day highlight efforts to reduce stigma, empower patients through lived experience, and expand community-based care and insurance coverage worldwide.

348 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mental-health-indicators-reach-critical-levels-in-chile-and-peru

### 2026-09-16: Peru reports high rates of depressive episodes among women

A 2024 survey in Peru reveals that 14.1% of women aged 15+ experienced depressive episodes, with higher rates reported in highland regions and among those with lower educational levels.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-reports-high-rates-of-depressive-episodes-among-women

---
Cite as: Mental health trends in Chile and Peru. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mental-health-trends-in-chile-and-peru