Innovation and leadership in public health: The experience of the first National Mental Health Survey in El Salvador

Abstract

Introduction. In El Salvador, there was a need to establish indicators that could provide an overview of the population’s mental health status. In response, the National Institute of Health led the implementation of the first National Mental Health Survey, becoming a pioneering effort in interinstitutional collaboration. This article documents the full scope of the first National Mental Health Survey experience, from its conception and methodological and operational design to fieldwork execution and the lessons learned throughout the process. Results. A total of 6837 households participated, yielding a response rate of 82.9%. Response rates varied across age groups and by sex: adolescents (63.5 %) and older adults (64.0 %) demonstrated lower levels of participation, as did adult men. These disparities posed challenges to representativeness and raise important considerations regarding potential barriers to participation. The implementation strategy integrated digital data collection tools, intensive training of field personnel, and close collaboration with local communities and institutions, which helped to overcome logistical barriers and foster trust at the community level. Conclusion. The first National Mental Health Survey establishes a robust baseline of mental health indicators to inform public policy and program development. The experience demonstrates that high-quality data can be produced in resource-limited settings through technical leadership, strategic partnerships, and strong institutional commitment, offering a replicable model for national mental health surveillance in similar contexts.