9 de febrero de 2026

Understanding Anxiety and Depression in Peru

Introduction to the Research

• The conversation begins with an introduction about a research initiative focused on increasing anxiety and depression rates in the Peruvian population.

• The aim is to gather personal experiences related to these issues to better understand them and seek potential solutions.

• Participants are encouraged to provide honest feedback, emphasizing that there are no right or wrong answers. All information collected will be confidential.

Participant Background

• The participant introduces herself as Ciomana Natalie Sánchez Sánchez, aged 31, residing in San Martín de Porres, Lima. She mentions the heavy traffic she faces daily.

• She works at Pacífico as a supervisor but does not currently study; however, she expresses interest in learning English for career advancement opportunities.

Work and Stress Factors

• Natalie describes her work environment as challenging due to long commutes (approximately 2.5 hours each way) which contribute significantly to her stress levels. She highlights the impact of traffic on her daily routine.

• Her work schedule runs from 9 AM to 6 PM, requiring her to leave home by 6:30 AM sometimes just to arrive on time, leading to feelings of frustration and exhaustion throughout her day.

Daily Routine and Stress Triggers

• A typical day starts around 6 AM; she struggles with motivation due to heat and environmental factors affecting her mood before heading out for work.

• Natalie identifies commuting as a primary source of stress, alongside challenges faced at work when tasks do not go as planned or deadlines are missed. This dual pressure contributes heavily to her overall anxiety levels during the day.

Understanding Stress and Anxiety in Daily Life

Personal Experiences with Stress

• The speaker reflects on their role as a team leader, acknowledging the presence of stress in their daily life, particularly during commutes to and from work.

• They identify various stages throughout the day that contribute to stress, including the pressure of managing responsibilities as a supervisor.

• Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive attitude at work, they express the need to separate personal stress from professional duties.

Coping Mechanisms for Stress

• The speaker describes how they previously managed stress through eating, indicating that food provided temporary relief from anxiety related to work.

• They mention an important performance indicator (NPS), which adds pressure as they seek positive feedback from clients.

Strategies for Managing Anxiety

• Exercise is highlighted as a potential solution for controlling stress; however, time constraints often hinder this option for the speaker.

• Social activities like going out with friends or watching movies are also mentioned as effective ways to alleviate anxiety.

Effectiveness of Different Approaches

• The speaker shares past experiences with exercise but notes inconsistency due to fatigue and lifestyle challenges impacting their ability to maintain a routine.

• They express frustration over not being able to prioritize exercise despite recognizing its benefits for managing anxiety.

Impact of Stress on Work and Relationships

• The speaker discusses how stress affects their job performance, leading them to react impulsively rather than think critically when under pressure.

• They acknowledge feeling trapped in a cycle of monotony that exacerbates their stress levels, wishing they could confront these feelings more effectively.

Understanding Stress and Anxiety in the Workplace

Personal Expression and Coping Mechanisms

• The speaker expresses a struggle with effective communication, aiming to ease situations without escalating them. They feel incomplete in their ability to express themselves.

Impact of Studies on Stress Levels

• The speaker discusses how their current studies contribute to stress, particularly due to time management challenges related to commuting. This stress also affects personal relationships, especially with their partner.

Workload and Responsibilities

• They describe feeling overwhelmed by work obligations, often juggling multiple tasks that lead to confusion about priorities. This results in anxiety over meeting expectations from supervisors while managing various responsibilities.

Effects of Stress on Performance

• The speaker notes that stress can hinder their perception of job performance, despite receiving positive feedback from superiors. They often feel they are not accomplishing enough within set deadlines, leading to feelings of inadequacy.

Experiences with Overwhelming Stress

• A significant moment is shared where the speaker considered resigning due to prolonged periods without vacation, which led to emotional distress manifested through crying as a release for pent-up frustration.

Recent Challenges and Goals

• In December, the pressure of achieving a specific NPS goal heightened anxiety when customer responses were lacking despite efforts made by the team. This situation exemplifies how external factors can exacerbate workplace stress levels.

What is Missing to Manage Stress and Anxiety?

The Need for Vacation

• The speaker expresses a feeling of needing a vacation after two years at their current job, having only taken 15 days off.

• They mention that the high turnover rate in the company leads to decisions by management that negatively impact employees.

Managing Responsibilities and Stress

• The speaker acknowledges their responsibilities which sometimes hinder effective stress management.

• They believe taking vacations could improve work performance and reduce stress levels.

Active Breaks in the Workplace

• The speaker suggests that active breaks are necessary in their workplace, especially given the nature of their role in customer service.

• They describe their job as being frontline support for clients, emphasizing the need for solutions to manage stress effectively.

Seeking Professional Help

• When asked about seeking professional help, they reflect on past experiences with therapy but feel hesitant to pursue it currently due to financial constraints.

• The speaker believes that while professional help could be beneficial, they prefer to handle stress independently unless absolutely necessary.

Mental Health and Professional Help: A Personal Perspective

The Need for Professional Help

• The speaker expresses concern about the potential need for Omara Sánchez to seek professional help in the future, emphasizing that human motivation is crucial for self-improvement.

• They reflect on their own experience with digital applications aimed at emotional well-being, noting a search for affordable professional help through their insurance provider.

Challenges in Accessing Mental Health Resources

• Despite searching, the speaker has not found suitable applications or resources that fit their financial situation, highlighting economic barriers to mental health support.

• They stress the importance of mental health not only for individuals but also for their families, as personal well-being directly affects familial relationships.

Frustrations with Current Solutions

• The speaker discusses frustrations regarding existing solutions for managing stress and anxiety, particularly criticizing state-sponsored psychological campaigns that seem ineffective given high rates of mental health issues in Peru.

• They question the effectiveness of these campaigns since they do not appear to be reducing psychological problems within the population.

Critique of Mental Health Campaigns

• The speaker argues that mental health issues have been longstanding and suggests that more effective outreach and support from health authorities are necessary to address rising suicide rates.

• They express disappointment over how current campaigns fail to resonate with those in need of help, indicating a disconnect between services offered and community needs.

Personal Reflections on Seeking Help

• The speaker shares personal reluctance towards seeking professional help when feeling stressed, suggesting this sentiment may be common among others who might avoid seeking assistance.

• They highlight a broader issue where many individuals may choose alternative coping mechanisms instead of pursuing professional guidance, which can lead to detrimental outcomes.

Conclusion on Mental Health Awareness

• Overall, the discussion emphasizes the critical nature of addressing mental health issues both locally and globally while advocating for better access to resources and more effective communication strategies.

Emotional Support App Concept Discussion

The Role of Family and Technology in Emotional Well-being

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-reliance while acknowledging that family can provide emotional support through advice and encouragement.

• A suggestion is made for an app that offers constant emotional companionship, helping users manage stress and anxiety by checking in on their feelings daily.

• The app could suggest simple activities or "ticks" to improve mood based on user input about how they feel each day.

Features of the Proposed App

• The speaker believes the app should help change negative thought patterns, potentially serving as a bridge to professional help if needed.

• Users desire options for relaxation tailored to their current situation, such as local activities like going to the cinema or walking in nature.

• Suggestions for mental health campaigns are also mentioned, indicating a need for educational resources within the app.

Essential Functions for User Engagement

• Key features include providing actionable tips during moments of stress or overwhelm, which would encourage regular use of the app.

• Users express interest in receiving personalized activity suggestions based on their interests (e.g., biking), enhancing engagement with physical wellness options.

Technological Integration and Personal Connection

• The speaker highlights how technology can create a sense of companionship, making users feel less isolated even when surrounded by others.

• There’s an emphasis on how this app could serve as a supportive friend in managing emotions and improving overall well-being.

Pricing Considerations for Accessibility

• A monthly subscription price of $9.90 is discussed; it is considered affordable and accessible for individuals with varying income levels.

• The speaker feels that if the app provides effective tools for managing anxiety and stress, it would be worth the investment.