Overview
- Peru’s health ministry tallied 12,718 moderate-to-severe depressive episodes in 2025, a 15% increase from 2024, alongside 4,053 suicide attempts with the highest incidence in people aged 15 to 24.
- In 2025, women accounted for the majority of depression care in Peru, while young adults 18–29 represented about 26% of those attended and adolescents roughly 14%.
- Pediatric and adolescent strain is evident in Buenos Aires, where authorities report more than one hospitalization per day for suicide risk and the Hospital de Clínicas saw nearly 30% more mental‑health consultations.
- Governments and services are expanding responses, including Peru’s 300+ community mental‑health centers and 113 option 5 hotline, Argentina’s Salud Mental Responde 0800 line, and Santa Fe’s 2022–2028 provincial plan.
- Specialists warn of under‑recognized “functional” depression and cite excessive social‑media and screen use, insecurity, and economic stress as drivers of growing demand for care.