- In Mexico there is an average of 12 psychologists for every 100 thousand inhabitants.
- Anxiety and depression are the main mental health problems that are treated.
- On May 20, 1974, the first certificate was granted to professionally pursue a career in Mexico.
Mental health is just as important as physical health, although many people do not give it the necessary attention. To have full well-being it is necessary that both aspects are well. For this reason, the personnel in charge of attending to the emotional part of the patients deserves all the possible recognition. With this in mind, every May 20 marks the National Psychologist Day.
Differences between the celebration in Mexico and the rest of the world
This date generates some confusion because it has not been homologated with the rest of the world. Internationally, the anniversary is October 13, but here another day was chosen for a particular reason.
The election was carried out by the National Federation of Schools, Societies and Associations of Psychologists of Mexico. The reason was because that day, but in 1974, the first certificate to professionally exercise the career in our country.
Now, although a few decades have passed since then, the beginnings of this branch are much older. There are documents that prove that studies on the human mind and behavior in society began in the mid-16th century.
Within the contemporary sphere, with the foundation of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters established the Doctorate in Psychology. Shortly after, a Master’s Degree was created in this branch and it was not until the end of the 1950s that the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology was born.
To date, there are more and more institutions that offer this career within their educational offer. Currently it is estimated that there are 12 psychologists for every 100 thousand inhabitants in Mexico.
But beyond the National Psychologist’s Day, the important thing is to know the right time to go with one. To begin with, it is a profession surrounded by stigmas and prejudices. In fact, many people avoid asking for help or going to a consultation because they think it’s wrong, even though it really isn’t.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) indicate that, by 2021, the proportion of the adult population with symptoms of depression rose to a total of 15.4%. While anxiety symptoms ranged from 50.7%. In addition, according to the Psychoanalytic Society of Mexico, depression will be the main mental illness of the coming times.
How many psychologists are there in Mexico?
The Government of Mexico reported in 2021 that there are 442 mental health and addiction facilities in the country. Of these, 77.1% are Addiction Primary Care Centers, 14.9% Comprehensive Mental Health Centers and 7.9% psychiatric hospitals. Also, he indicated that In Mexico, 307 thousand 592 psychologists practice their profession.
The cost of consultations is also an important factor for which the population does not usually seek professional help because it is often believed that it is a large or even unnecessary expense. On average, the Psychological therapy has a unit cost of $1,411.00 MXN in the IMSS for non-entitlers. While in the private sphere the figure varies between $500 and $2,000 pesos per session. In this case, everything depends on the experience and training of the professional, as well as the city and other external factors.
Under the pretext of National Psychologist’s Day, the most important thing is to lose the fear of asking for help. Nor is it necessary until the problems are greater because from the first symptom a consultation can be requested to prevent the situation from getting worse.