Learning about mental healthcare in today's Cuba: An interview with the president of the Cuban society of psychology

Abstract

Purpose: Little is known about Cuba's mental healthcare system. We present background information and an interview with the President of the Cuban Society of Psychology to learn about current mental healthcare in today's Cuba.

Conclusions: Mental and medical healthcare are free and fully integrated. Early diagnosis and intervention is standard as each patient is known by their community doctor/nurse team from infancy through old age and by yearly home visits.

Practice implications: Free and integrated medical and mental healthcare facilitates early detection and intervention. Individuals in Cuba are assisted in maintaining job and schooling during treatment. Therapy is multimodal and eclectic.

Keywords: mental healthcare in Cuba.