The Ministry of Health announced on May 3 that its Directorate of Mental Health is leading a working group with specialists from various institutions to improve mental health in the workplace across Peru.
This initiative is important because it aims to develop technical recommendations and policies for preventing, protecting, promoting, and supporting mental health at work. Such measures are intended to create healthier work environments and address psychosocial risks faced by workers.
During the second meeting of this group on April 20, experts from the Ministry of Health and EsSalud shared their experiences. Participants included representatives from the Functional Unit for Occupational Health and Work Disability, the Directorate for Prevention and Control of Non-Transmissible Diseases, Rare and Orphan Diseases at EsSalud, as well as members from the Directorate of Mental Health. The agenda included reviewing previous agreements, with a focus on creating a regulatory document related to Article 14 of the regulations under Peru’s Mental Health Law. This document is expected to provide further guidance on workplace mental health issues.
July Caballero Peralta, director of the Directorate of Mental Health, said: “Fortalecer la salud mental en el ámbito laboral es una prioridad de salud pública. Este trabajo conjunto nos permitirá contar con lineamientos claros que contribuyan a entornos laborales más saludables, prevengan riesgos psicosociales y mejoren la calidad de vida de las y los trabajadores.”
The Ministry said it remains committed to promoting policies and actions that support mental wellbeing in all spaces—including workplaces—using a preventive approach based on evidence.
