Mental Health in Peru: Pain and Proposal. The Huancavelica Experience

It is encouraging to present a study such as this one, which contributes to the design and implementation of public mental health policies and outlines an essential line of review and evaluation of actions in favor of mental health and the policies formulated, as well as the way in which they are implemented in a specific context such as the Huancavelica region. This is a fundamental task in the face of a reality like Peru's, where it has already become a commonplace to say that very good policies exist, which contrast with their insufficient implementation in practice. The study's proposal is precisely to analyze from where policies are being formulated, to review what the regulatory framework is at the national and regional levels, and to observe how they are put into practice. The research sets itself the challenge of seeking out those responsible for implementing national and regional mental health policies, approaching these actors: public officials, health personnel, and professionals from non-governmental organizations working directly with the population. (Excerpt from the foreword).