Access barriers for severe mental disorders in Colombia.

Purpose: This study aims to identify the barriers to accessing mental health services in Colombia, analyze the causes that generate them and how they perpetuate over time and critically call for the strengthening of the provision and guarantee of access to these services in the country.

Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology. The databases Science Direct, Proquest and Google Scholar were consulted, and the following search terms were used: Accessibility to health services, health disparities, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and Colombia. A total of 35 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed, which allowed the classification of access barriers into five categories: governmental, personal, familial, social and institutional, all of which directly or indirectly affect access to mental health services.

Findings: Colombia regularly faces various social issues; thus, progress in the field of mental health in terms of treatment, research and prevention is imperative. For such a change to be possible, contributions from legislation and health authorities are required, taking into account the individuality of the patient, their context and their limitations.

Originality/value: This study offers a critical view of the barriers that hinder access to mental health services in Colombia, highlighting the need to strengthen the provision and guarantee access to these services.