Sachleen Kaur
Research Mentor(s): Julio Villa-Palomino
Mentor Department: Anthropology
Authors: Sachleen Kaur, Julio Villa-Palomino
Session: Session 4 (1:00pm – 1:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 2
Abstract
This study analyzes responses to mental health crises in metropolitan Lima and Callao, Peru, from 2019 to 2022. The objective is to understand how individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies are perceived and managed by professionals in medical, public service, and legal fields, as well as explore the reasons behind reluctance to use existing mental health services. In total, 33 semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who experienced mental health crises (8), their families (5), and a range of professionals (20) from psychiatric hospitals, general hospitals, community mental health centers, and public service sectors. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative data analysis software. A codebook was created to categorize the data, with thematic areas including crisis management, access barriers, informed consent, and perceptions of the implementation of the Mental Health Law (30947). The analysis highlighted key issues such as family decision-making during crises, police and public security interventions, challenges in accessing psychiatric care, and the use of coercive practices in mental health emergencies. Results indicated that mental health crises often manifested through violence, insomnia, and hallucinations. The most frequent services accessed were community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitalization, and police involvement. Despite this, access to services like general hospitals and primary health care centers was limited, with notable gaps in care coordination. The study found a general lack of awareness and implementation of the Mental Health Law among both service users and professionals. Based on these findings, the study offers recommendations for improving mental health crisis management, including suggestions for the Ministry of Health, public safety workers, and health services. Key recommendations focus on better coordination, increased awareness of the Mental Health Law, and the development of innovative practices for crisis intervention.
