The Congress of Peru has approved a modification to Article 25 of the Mental Health Law, allowing licensed psychologists to participate in mental health diagnoses alongside other health professionals. This reform aims to establish a comprehensive approach that includes doctors and nurses, among others, in the assessment and treatment of mental health issues.
Teresa Machado, national dean of the College of Psychologists of Peru, clarified that the regulation does not expand the functions of psychologists but rather acknowledges existing responsibilities. “We have competencies in psychosocial detection. We intervene through therapies, we do not prescribe medication,” she asserted.
However, Juan Carlos Ocampo, spokesperson for the Peruvian Psychiatric Association, warned about the risk of confusion in the final diagnosis, which should fall to doctors, especially in cases where neurological or hormonal conditions are present. Both sectors agree on the need for coordinated efforts to improve the mental health system, which faces serious gaps in personnel and resources.
According to recent data, fewer than 700 psychologists serve in over 50,000 public educational institutions in the country. The effective implementation of this law will depend on its regulations and the political will to address existing gaps. As reported in this note, 40% of young people experience clinical difficulties, underscoring the urgency of improving access to mental health services.
