Has the College of Psychologists had any type of meeting with any official from the Ministry of Education to address the issue of mental health in students?
“A dialogue table was established to analyze the functions of the psychologist in schools and secure contracts, since from the 2,800 psychologists in 2023, in 2024 they were being reduced to 2,500, which generated concern.”
How do you think the collaboration of the College of Psychologists with the Ministries of Education and Health has been? How has that relationship been? Have they been heard?
“There was an approach, months of work, but nothing more. We tell them that we must improve the profiles of psychologists so that they work. They tell us that there is no money. If the law is giving a mandate, that is being violated.”
How does ministerial resolution 009, which was approved in January 2024, affect the duration of psychologists’ contracts? Is it fulfilled or not?
“Compliance with the law does not guarantee stability so that the professional can get involved, commit to their work and achieve the objectives demanded by the institution. It is unfortunate, but that is the political game that the authorities have.”
Would we then be talking about the responsibility of more than one ministry?
“The Ministry of Education does not request or increase the amounts for hiring. On the other hand, the Ministry of Economy says that there is no money to be able to hire. So these two ministries are responsible.”
Is there any request from the College of Psychologists to reverse this situation?
“To the Ministry of Economy, see this as an investment for the future of the country and the human development of our children. The president (Dina Boluarte) is also asked to increase the budget to provide emotional support to all Peruvian children.”
What proposals for solutions do you propose?
“One of the solutions that the College of Psychologists of Peru proposes is the inclusion of the 120,000 psychology students in school educational curricula. That is, they can do their pre-professional practices in public educational institutions to, in this way, increase the number of psychologists per institution.”
And do you consider it necessary to implement any solution, not so much in a general way, but in the classrooms themselves?
“It is important to educate students in mental health, so that students begin to manage their emotions, including anxiety, tension, anger, hopelessness; and learn to manage natural frustration within an academic environment.”
Miguel Vallejos
Dean of the College of Psychologists of Peru
