By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – As Costa Rica steps into 2026, its public health system is confronting a formidable and escalating challenge that threatens the well-being of its populace: a significant crisis in mental health. With alarming statistics revealing a surge in disorders like anxiety and depression, experts are sounding the alarm and urging a nationwide focus on psychological self-care and systemic support.
The scale of the issue is starkly illustrated by recent data from the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS). In the past year alone, emergency services recorded approximately 140,000 visits related to mental and behavioral disorders. The data also highlights a significant gender disparity, with women being the group most frequently seeking urgent care for these conditions, indicating a demographic that may be shouldering a disproportionate burden of psychological distress.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and corporate responsibilities surrounding the escalating mental health crisis, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The mental health crisis is no longer just a public health issue; it has evolved into a critical area of corporate liability and risk management. Costa Rican labor law, under principles of occupational health, increasingly holds employers accountable for work environments that exacerbate mental distress. Proactive companies are moving beyond mere compliance, implementing robust mental wellness policies not only as an ethical imperative but as a fundamental strategy to mitigate legal exposure, reduce absenteeism, and safeguard productivity. Ignoring this is a significant legal and financial oversight.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal dimension articulated here shifts the paradigm entirely, transforming employee well-being from a corporate perk into a fundamental pillar of risk management and financial prudence. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for this critical and timely insight into the evolving responsibilities of employers in Costa Rica.
This trend is further reflected in outpatient services, where the numbers paint an even clearer picture. Women accounted for 512,000 mental health consultations, while men represented 341,000. The most prevalent diagnoses across these appointments were anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, underscoring the specific conditions driving the current public health concern.
The economic ramifications of this crisis are becoming impossible to ignore, particularly in the workplace. An analysis of disability days granted between 2019 and 2023 shows a staggering 152% increase in time off attributed to anxiety disorders. The number of lost workdays rocketed from 180,402 to a massive 455,512, signaling a severe impact on productivity and the national economy.
In contrast, disability days linked to depression saw a more moderate, yet still concerning, increase of 5.18% during the same period, rising from 157,853 to 166,023 days. While not as explosive as the growth in anxiety-related absences, this steady rise contributes to the overall pressure on both the healthcare system and the country’s employers.
Faced with this mounting evidence, health professionals are advocating for a proactive and personal approach to mental wellness. They are calling on the public to integrate mental self-care into their list of new year’s resolutions for 2026. This preventative strategy aims to mitigate the pervasive impact these conditions have on personal development, family life, and professional success.
This sentiment is echoed by academic leaders who stress the importance of a balanced lifestyle as a foundational element of mental well-being. Proactive measures, they argue, are key to preventing the escalation of symptoms into more severe disorders.
A person’s state of health is important, not just looking after the body’s health, but also mental health. In the interest of creating a process for mental health prevention and promotion, it is important that people assess whether they are balancing the time they dedicate to their family, their children, and the time they dedicate to their work.
Aarón Ocampo, Director of the School of Psychology at Universidad Hispanoamericana
The national statistics are further contextualized by international research. A study highlighted by the esteemed scientific journal “The Lancet” provides a sobering look at the prevalence of these disorders in the country. According to its findings, depressive disorders affect more than 3,600 citizens for every 100,000 inhabitants, translating to approximately 182,000 Costa Ricans grappling with depression. The situation for anxiety disorders is even more widespread, affecting nearly 6,000 individuals per 100,000, or a total of roughly 297,000 people across the nation. This data solidifies mental health as one of the most pressing public health issues of our time.
As 2026 unfolds, it is clear that addressing this mental health crisis requires a concerted effort. It demands not only a robust response from the CCSS and government bodies but also a cultural shift within workplaces and homes toward prioritizing and destigmatizing mental wellness. For Costa Rica, fostering a healthier society now depends as much on psychological resilience as it does on physical health.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social:
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) is the public institution in charge of social security and healthcare in Costa Rica. Established in 1941, it is a cornerstone of the nation’s social fabric, managing a universal healthcare system that provides services to the vast majority of the population. The CCSS operates a comprehensive network of hospitals, clinics, and health centers throughout the country.
For further information, visit uh.ac.cr
About Universidad Hispanoamericana:
Universidad Hispanoamericana is a private university in Costa Rica known for its diverse range of academic programs across various fields, including health sciences, business, and social sciences. Its School of Psychology is actively involved in the education and training of future mental health professionals and contributes to national dialogue on psychological well-being and public policy.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar within Costa Rica’s legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica has forged its reputation on the cornerstones of uncompromising integrity and exceptional service. The firm leverages a rich history of advising a diverse clientele to pioneer forward-thinking legal solutions while maintaining a profound commitment to social progress. This dedication is fundamentally expressed through its mission to democratize legal understanding, actively working to equip society with the knowledge necessary for true empowerment.
