Objectives

To Characterize the population of Bogotá (Colombia), in terms of mental health, based on data from the 2015-National Mental Health Survey.

Metodology

A quantitative analysis was employed. Data for population living in Bogotá and collected in the 2015-National Mental Health Survey was employed to calculate the prevalence of mental health problems, disorders, and the use of psychoactive substances. The analysis was stratified in adults, adolescents, and children.

Results

Our main findings were a) The prevalence of self-reported mental health problems was 12 % (95 % CI: 9.1-15.6) and 7.9 % (95 % CI: 5.3-11, 8) for adults and adolescents, respectively. b) 9.8 % (95 % CI: 7.4-12.9) of included adults and 4.6 % (95 % CI: 2.7-7.7) of the adolescents reported more than 5 symptoms of anxiety. c) 6.7 % (95 % CI: 4.9-9.0) and 3.5 % (95 % CI: 2.0-6.1) of the adult and adolescent reported more than 7 symptoms of depression. d) 12.9 % (95 % CI: 10 % - 16.4 %) of the included adults, and 8.5 % (95 % CI: 5.5 % - 12.8 %) of adolescents reported the presence of "any mental health disorder" in the curse of life. e) 43.8 % (95 % CI: 39.1-48.7) reported consumption of alcohol. 5.6 % (95 % CI: 3.7-8.5) reported to have consumed marijuana during their life.

Conclusions

The prevalence of mental health problems and disorders is different as compared to other regions of the country and even to other capital cities in Latin America. Therefore, this characterization could guide mental health decisions, mostly because Bogotá groups population with diverse origins and cultures.