Amid a context of significant political instability, Peru is preparing for the 2026 General Elections while facing multiple pressing challenges. Among them, mental health stands out as one of the most critical crises, while also remaining one of the most overlooked issues on the public agenda.
In this regard, our recent analysis of 36 government platforms reveals a concerning reality: although mental health is beginning to gain visibility in political discourse, it remains far from being a true priority.
KEY FINDINGS FROM OUR ANALYSIS
Estos datos muestran una tendencia clara: la salud mental se asoma en el discurso, pero rara vez se traduce en compromisos concretos, medibles o sostenibles.
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES?
Entre los partidos que sí incluyen propuestas, la reforma de los servicios es el eje más frecuente. Sin embargo, incluso aquí hay limitaciones: pocas propuestas incluyen metas verificables, lo que dificulta exigir resultados.
Even more concerning is what remains absent or is only weakly represented:
The inclusion of mental health in policy platforms does not necessarily translate into genuine political commitment. In fact, the analysis shows that:
This reflects a disconnect between the scale of the challenge and the proposed policy response. Without resources, clear targets, and a comprehensive approach, many of these proposals risk remaining empty promises.
Taken together, these findings show that mental health is beginning to gain a place in Peru’s electoral debate, but it has yet to receive the priority attention that the current crisis demands. This is not merely a technical omission, but a political decision.
Frente a ello, el contexto electoral representa una oportunidad clave para exigir cambios.
Este documento fue desarrollado en marzo del 2026 por el equipo de De-Mentes, bajo el liderazgo de Ellen Mayorca Huamán con el apoyo de Lucero Andaluz Llerena, y contó con la colaboración de Antonis Kousolis y Divya Sharma, parte de la Global Mental Health Action Network (Red Global de Acción en Salud Mental).
