CALMA Online Psychological First Aid Program in Peru: Personal and Sociodemographic Characteristics and Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic in Peru led to the closure of almost all mental health services. In addition, the authorities forced citizens to stay at home for prolonged periods. Universidad Continental designed and implemented the CALMA online psychological first aid program at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, conceived within the World Health Organization's technical guide for psychological first aid (2012). This initiative has offered free telecare through digital media to more than 10,000 users under a diverse, inclusive, and multicultural approach to mental health services. This study characterizes the population served (N=10096) over these 4 years. Of this group, 74.6% were women (n=7567), and 25.4% were men (n=2567). Regarding the most represented nationalities, 9137 were Peruvians (90.5%), 318 Mexicans (3.1%), 132 Ecuadorians (1.3%), 109 Colombians (1.1%) and 97 Bolivians (1.1%). The 3 main reasons for seeking care were similar among men and women: lack of apathy and initiative, emotional pain and sadness, and anger, irritability, and fear (30.8% and 30.7%).