Santo Domingo. – More than 500,000 people currently live with depression in the Dominican Republic, a condition that continues to increase and is consolidating as one of the main challenges of national public health, according to data provided by the Ministry of Public Health within the framework of World Depression Awareness Day, which is commemorated every January 13.
According to health authorities, the estimated prevalence of depression in the country is 4.7%, a figure that is in line with the increase recorded regionally and globally, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. In Latin America, the rate reaches 12%, with an increase of over 30% in recent years.
During the panel “Let’s Talk About Depression: Recognize, Accompany, and Treat”, the Minister of Public Health, Víctor Atallah, warned that this condition does not always manifest itself in an evident way and that, in many cases, the affected people may appear normal or even happy.
“Depression is not a passing sadness, it is a deep state of emotional disconnection that, if not treated in time, can lead to catastrophic situations for the person and their environment,” said the official.
Atallah highlighted that the Ministry of Public Health, in coordination with the National Health Service (SNS), has strengthened the mental health care network, increasing the number of professionals and available services. By the year 2025, the country went from 925 to 1,100 psychologists, from 145 to 166 psychiatrists, and from 14 to 17 Crisis Intervention Units.
However, he acknowledged that a deficit of psychiatry specialists persists, which is why work is being done on curriculum review, training incentives, and supervised medical training programs, in coordination with specialized medical societies.
For his part, the Vice Minister of Collective Health, Eladio Pérez, emphasized that depression should not be seen as a weakness, but as a health condition that can affect anyone and whose prevention requires the commitment of the whole society.
Meanwhile, the director of Mental Health, Alejandro Uribe, pointed out that depression is among the three main causes of medical consultation in the country, although it continues to be underestimated due to the social stigma surrounding mental disorders.
Authorities reiterated the call to recognize the warning signs, seek professional help in a timely manner, and promote a culture of accompaniment and prevention, as fundamental pillars to address this public health issue.
