La salud mental en el tejido cultural rural cuencano: voces de terapeutas y usuarios sobre acceso y atención, 2025.

Abstract

Mental health care in rural areas faces critical challenges stemming from the disparity between conventional clinical models and the sociocultural realities of these communities. This qualitative study, conducted in the canton of Cuenca (Ecuador), found that rural users perceive psychological problems as consequences of their immediate context, showing a preference for practical and community-based interventions. However, significant barriers persist, such as the stigma associating therapy with illness, lack of awareness about available services, and distrust toward individualistic approaches. Professionals acknowledge the existence of barriers in implementing culturally appropriate care, highlighting limitations in their academic training, insufficient institutional resources, and tensions with traditional healing systems. The findings underscore the need to develop intercultural care models that actively integrate community perspectives, prioritize preventive strategies, and operate based on the collective logic inherent to rural life.