Mental Health Crisis
Mental health challenges are common after traumatizing events. Puerto Rico has had four major disasters and with the added stress of COVID19, emotional vulnerabilities have escalated.
There is a collective issue of mental health that is being compounded by the lack of resources like child care, living wage jobs, small business support, mental health services, etc.
As the mental health crisis causes many people to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, a shrinking economy has led to fewer drug and alcohol treatment options in Puerto Rico. Also, the island's suicide hotline sometimes exceeds 1,600 daily, according to the government mental health agency.
Low insurance reimbursements and increasing expenses caused an exodus of doctors from the island, minimizing healthcare to an already emotionally vulnerable population.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and counselors who remain - trying to provide or coordinate emotional support are challenged by the mental health crisis in the island.