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ResumenObjetivo: Destacar los resultados de mayor impacto para la población adulta mayor en Bogotá, de ma-nera que sirvan como referencias para priorizar las decisiones y las medidas públicas en su beneficio. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de cohorte transversal, con un muestreo probabilístico por conglome-rados, polietápico, con un nivel de confiabilidad del 95% y un tamaño de 2000 personas entre 60 y 100 años. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de todas las variables, calculando distribuciones de frecuencias simples y posteriormente se hizo un análisis de dependencia y asociación con Chi cuadrado, T-test y regresiones logísticas multivariadas según correspondiera para cada caso. Adicionalmente se utilizan pruebas de Spearman Rho para analizar correlaciones. Se analizaron los temas principales: fragilidad, sarcopenia, nutrición, hipertensión arterial (HTA), depresión, violencia, discapacidad, vivir solo y pobreza. Resultados: Cerca del 40% de la población tenía desnutrición o estaba en riesgo de desnutri-ción, más del 60% era prefrágil o frágil y más del 11% tenía sarcopenia. La HTA se presentó en el 58% de los ancianos; la depresión estaba presente en uno de cada cuatro; 42% había sido víctima de agre-sión en el último año y el 43% desplazado por violencia en el transcurso de su vida. Más de la mitad tenía una discapacidad, 12,6% vivía solo y el 7,8% estaba en pobreza extrema. Conclusiones: Cada una de las temáticas desarrolladas aporta individualmente en la selección de los mejores derroteros de la política pública para el Distrito Capital, pues sólo su integración, bajo la tutela de los gestores de la misma y la participación ciudadana desde los diferentes escenarios y participantes, logrará el mejor impacto en la aplicabilidad de este trabajo de investigación

AbstractObjective:thisworkhighlightstheresultswiththegreatestimpactfortheolderadultpopula-tioninBogotá.Theseresultsshouldserveasreferencestoprioritizedecisionsanddeveloppublichealthinterventionstobenefittheseolderadults.Materials and methods:W euseddatafromacross-sectionalstudy,withamultistageprobabilisticsamplingbyconglomerates.Aofreliabilitylevelof95%wasestablishedandthesamplesizewas2000individualsbetweentheagesof60and100years.Adescriptiveanalysisofallthevariableswasconducted,esti-matingfrequenciesandsubsequentlyanalyzingdependencyandassociationwithChisquare,T-testsandmultivariatelogisticregressionsasappropriateforeachcase.Additionally,Spear-manRhotestswereusedtoanalyzecorrelations.Themaintopicsanalyzedwere:frailty,sarcopenia,nutrition,hypertension(HTN),depression,violence,disability,livingaloneandpoverty.Results:about40%ofthepopulationwasmalnourishedoratriskofmalnutrition,morethan60%waspre-frailorfrailandmorethan11%hadsarcopenia.HTNwasreportedin58%ofolderadults,42%hadbeenvictimsofviolenceinthelastyearand43%hadbeendisplacedbyviolenceduringtheirlife.Morethanhalfhaddisability,12,6%livedaloneand7,8%hadextremepoverty.Conclusions: theseresultsshouldhelpidentifythemostpressingissuesfacedbyolderadultsinthecapitalofColombiaandshoulddrivethedevelopmentofpublichealthinterventionsforthecity.Onlyintegrationoftheseresultswithactiveparticipa-tionofpolicymakersandthecommunitywillresultinimprovementsforolderadultsandthepopulationatlarge

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INTRODUCTION: Colombia has a large population exposed to violence. Our data suggest a significant number displaced by the conflict. As there is an increased risk of vulnerability, their problems and mental disorders need to be assessed in order to determine specific treatments. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of problems and mental disorders in those internally displaced by the conflict. METHODS: Data was obtained from the National Mental Health Survey 2015. The diagnostic tools used were the composite international diagnosis interview (CIDI-CAPI), Self-reporting questionnaire (SQR). Alcohol consumption was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification test (AUDIT). A survey based on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was developed. The modified Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C) was used to determine possible post-traumatic stress Disorder. Multidimensional poverty index (MPI) and Family-Apgar questionnaire were applied to general individual and household data. RESULTS: A total of 943 persons displaced by the conflict were reported, with self-report of symptoms in 16.4% (95% CI, 13.2-20.1). The prevalence of any of the measured mental disorders (CIDI-CAPI) ever in life was 15.9% (95% CI, 11.9-21.1), with a suicidal ideation of 12.5% (95%CI, 9.0-17.1), and excessive alcohol consumption in 10.1% (95% CI, 7.2-13.9). More than one-third (35.6%, (95% CI, 30.7-40.8) of people report having experienced, witnessed, or been told that someone close had had a traumatic event related to the armed conflict. An increased risk of PTSD is reported by 3.6% (95% CI, 2.2-5.9) displaced people that had reported at least one traumatic event. Family dysfunction in the displaced population is absent (74.8% (95%.CI, 70.4-78.8). CONCLUSIONS: The displaced population has a high prevalence of problems and mental disorders, which confirms their disadvantaged situation.

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INTRODUCTION: The 2015 National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) is the fourth mental survey conducted in Colombia, and is part of the National System of Surveys and Population Studies for health. METHODS: A narrative description is used to explain the background, references, the preparation, and characteristics of the 2015 NMHS. The 2015 NMHS and its protocol emerge from the requirements that support the national and international policies related to mental health. Together with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the objectives, the collection tools, the sample, and the operational plan are defined. The main objective was to obtain updated information about the mental health, mental problems and disorders, accessibility to health services, and an evaluation of health conditions. Participants were inhabitants from both urban and rural areas, over 7 years old, and in whom the comprehension of social determinants and equity were privileged. An observational cross-sectional design with national, regional and age group representativity, was used. The age groups selected were 7-11, 12-17, and over 18 years old. The regions considered were Central, Orient, Atlantic, Pacific, and Bogota. The calculated sample had a minimum of 12,080 and a maximum of 14,496 participants. CONCLUSIONS: A brief summary of the protocol of the 2015 NMHS is presented. The full document with all the collection tools can be consulted on the Health Ministry webpage.

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INTRODUCTION: Usually, mental health has been defined as the absence of mental disorders. In order to approach this concept in a plain sanitas way, it was considered necessary to crosslink a component for the National Mental Health Survey 2015 (NMHS; ENSM for its acronym in Spanish), that would respond to the specific orientation and particularities of the country. OBJECTIVE: To describe the structure and contents of the mental health component of the NMHS 2015 for the Colombian population over 7 years of age. METHODS: Review, documentary analysis and discussion regarding the concepts and tools with the team in charge of the NMHS and other groups. RESULTS: 353 documents were reviewed, and 180 were analyzed and discussed. The component model is presented, considering the ethic dimension of relationship care as a main element; it merges two inquiry dimensions or categories: subjective-relational, and social-collective. CONCLUSIONS: The structured mental health component provides information regarding the entire population. It also allows understanding and approaching the concept of mental health as a personal and collective "good life".

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INTRODUCTION: Population surveys on mental health are performed as part of the inputs required for the creation, implementation and evaluation of policies related to mental health, worldwide, and as an initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO). was held The fourth National Survey of Mental Health (ENSM 2015) was carried out during the first half of 2015 on a representative sample of 2,727 children between 7 and 11 years of age, 1,754 adolescents, and 10, 870 adults who were selected throughout the country. OBJECTIVE: To describe the selection and definition of the tools used to measure mental health (including social cognition and violence), problems, mental disorders, and the evaluation of health states, as well as to describe the process used to develop the data collection tools finally used. RESULTS: The measurement of mental disorders in children was performed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC), and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used for adolescents and adults. For the remaining components evaluated in the survey, a search was conducted on the tools used at a national and international level. The selection of the toos used for the evaluation was based on the questions made by each tool, as well as the scientific validity that could be obtained from the results. In some cases the complete tool (as published) was used, in other cases the tools were constructed unifying parts of different ones, or questions were written based on the concepts or characteristics to be measured. Subsequently, a validation of content, concept and semantic of every tool was carried out, including the CIDI and DISC. The resulting tools were used on a group of people with different characteristics. It was noted that further clarification was necessary for some people to fully understand what was being asked. Because the collection of all the information in the survey would be computer assisted, a stream format was generated to guide the implementation in Blaise software, after the creation and wording of each tool in order to review the validation process of the survey and to ensure the integrity in the order of questions and their format. Fictitious cases were generated during the process, and volunteers participated in the testing. CONCLUSIONS: The tools for information collection used in the National Survey of Mental Health 2015 are presented.

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Resumen Introducción: Colombia tiene una gran población expuesta a la violencia, con una cifra importante de desplazados por esta, quienes se encuentran en mayor riesgo de vulnerabilidad, por lo que es necesario evaluar en ellos problemas y trastornos mentales para definir intervenciones específicas necesarias. Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de problemas y trastornos mentales de la población colombiana desplazada por el conflicto armado interno. Métodos: Datos emanados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental 2015. Se realizó la entrevista diagnóstica internacional compuesta (CIDI-CAPI) y el Cuestionario de Síntomas (SRQ) como indicador de posible enfermedad psiquiátrica; el consumo de alcohol se evaluó con el test de identificación de trastornos por consumo de alcohol (AUDIT); se diseñó una encuesta basada en la Prueba de Detección de Consumo de Alcohol, Tabaco y Sustancias (ASSIST); se modificó la Lista de Chequeo de Estrés Postraumático (PCL-C) para determinar posible estrés postraumático y se aplicó el Índice Multidimensional de Pobreza (IPM) y el APGAR familiar a los datos generales del individuo y del hogar. Resultados: Se detectó a 943 personas desplazadas por la violencia. Se presenta SQR positivo en el 16,4% (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%], 13,2%-20,1%); la prevalencia de cualquiera de los trastornos mentales medidos (CIDI-CAPI) alguna vez en la vida es del 15,9% (IC95%, 11,9%-21,1%); la de ideación suicida es del 12,5% (IC95%, 9,0%-17,1%); la de consumo de alcohol excesivo, del 10,1% (IC95%, 7,2%-13,9%); el 35,6% (IC95%, 30,7%-40,8%) de las personas reportan que han vivido o presenciado o les han contado que alguien cercano ha tenido un evento traumático relacionado con el conflicto armado; se reporta un mayor riesgo de estrés postraumático en personas desplazadas que han reportado por lo menos un evento traumático (3,6%; IC95%, 2,2%-5,9%); la disfunción familiar en desplazados es ausente (74,8%; IC95%, 70,4%-78,8%). Conclusiones: La población desplazada tiene una alta prevalencia de problemas y trastornos mentales, lo que ratifica la situación de desventaja en que se encuentran

Abstract Introduction: Colombia has a large population exposed to violence. Our data suggest a significant number displaced by the conflict. As there is an increased risk of vulnerability, their problems and mental disorders need to be assessed in order to determine specific treatments. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of problems and mental disorders in those internally displaced by the conflict. Methods: Data was obtained from the National Mental Health Survey 2015. The diagnostic tools used were the composite international diagnosis interview (CIDI-CAPI), Self-reporting questionnaire (SQR). Alcohol consumption was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification test (AUDIT). A survey based on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was developed. The modified Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C) was used to determine possible post-traumatic stress Disorder. Multidimensional poverty index (MPI) and Family-Apgar questionnairewere applied to general individual and household data. Results: A total of 943 persons displaced by the conflict were reported, with self-report of symptoms in 16.4 (95% CI, 13.2-20.1). The prevalence of any of the measured mental disorders (CIDI-CAPI) ever in life was 15.9% (95% CI, 11.9-21.1), with a suicidal ideation of 12.5% (95%CI, 9.0-17.1), and excessive alcohol consumption in 10.1% (95% CI, 7.2-13.9). More than one-third (35.6%, (95% CI, 30.7-40.8) of people report having experienced, witnessed, or been told that someone close had had a traumatic event related to the armed conflict. An increased risk of PTSD is reported by 3.6% (95% CI, 2.2-5.9) displaced people that had reported at least one traumatic event. Family dysfunction in the displaced population is absent (74.8% (95%.CI, 70.4-78.8). Conclusions: The displaced population has a high prevalence of problems and mental disorders, which confirms their disadvantaged situation.

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Resumen Introducción: Se ha definido corrientemente la salud mental como la ausencia de trastornos mentales. Para abordarla en el sentido más llano de sanitas, se consideró la necesidad de estructurar para la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental de 2015 un componente que respondiera a las orientaciones y las particularidades del país. Objetivo: Describir la estructuración y los contenidos del componente de salud mental de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental de 2015 para la población colombiana de 7 y más años. Métodos: Revisión, análisis documental y discusión acerca de conceptos e instrumentos con el equipo responsable de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental de 2015 y otros grupos. Resultados: Se revisaron 353 documentos, de los que se incluyó el análisis de 180 para este artículo. Se plantea el modelo del componente que, considerando como elemento central la dimensión ética de cuidado en las relaciones, entrecruza dos dimensiones o categorías de indagación: subjetiva-relacional y social-colectiva. Conclusiones: El componente de salud mental estructurado permite obtener información acerca de toda la población y pensar la salud mental desde la "buena vida" personal y colectiva.

Abstract Introduction: Usually, mental health has been defined as the absence of mental disorders. In order to approach this concept in a plain sanitas way, it was considered necessary to crosslink a component for the National Mental Health Survey 2015 (NMHS; ENSM for its acronym in Spanish), that would respond to the specific orientation and particularities of the country. Objective: To describe the structure and contents of the mental health component of the NMHS 2015 for the Colombian population over 7 years of age. Methods: Review, documentary analysis and discussion regarding the concepts and tools with the team in charge of the NMHS and other groups. Results: 353 documents were reviewed, and 180 were analyzed and discussed. The component model is presented, considering the ethic dimension of relationship care as a main element; it merges two inquiry dimensions or categories: subjective-relational, and social-collective. Conclusions: The structured mental health component provides information regarding the entire population. It also allows understanding and approaching the concept of mental health as a personal and collective "good life".

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Introducción: Como parte de los insumos necesarios para la creación, la implementación y la evaluación de políticas relacionadas con la salud mental, en todo el mundo y como iniciativa de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, se llevan a cabo encuestas poblacionales relacionadas con el tema. Durante el primer semestre de 2015, se llevó a cabo la cuarta Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental (ENSM 2015), con una muestra de 2.727 niños entre 7 y 12 años, 1.754 adolescentes y 10.870 adultos seleccionados de diferentes lugares del país. Objetivos: Describir la selección y definición de los instrumentos que utilizar para la medición de la salud mental (incluyendo cognición social y violencias), los problemas, los trastornos mentales y la valoración de estados de salud, así como los mecanismos empleados para derivar en el instrumento final de recolección. Resultados: La medición de trastornos mentales en niños se realizó utilizando el Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC), y para adolescentes y adultos se utilizó el Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Para los demás componentes evaluados en la ENSM 2015, se realizó una búsqueda de los instrumentos utilizados dentro y fuera de Colombia. La selección de los instrumentos utilizados para la evaluación se basó en las preguntas de cada instrumento, así como la validez científica que se podría obtener en los resultados. En algunos casos se utilizó el instrumento completo (como fue validado), se construyó uno nuevo uniendo partes de diferentes instrumentos o se redactaron las preguntas partiendo de los conceptos o características que se va a medir. Se realizó una validación de contenido, de concepto y de semántica de todos los instrumentos, incluyendo CIDI y DISC. Los instrumentos resultantes se aplicaron a un grupo de sujetos de diferentes características y se detectaron algunas aclaraciones necesarias para la comprensión de algunas preguntas. Dado que la recolección de la información en la encuesta sería totalmente en formato electrónico, tras la construcción y la redacción de cada instrumento, se generó un formato de flujo para orientar la implementación del formato en el software Blaise. Luego de la implementación, tuvo lugar un proceso de validación de la encuesta implementada para garantizar la integridad en el orden de las preguntas y los saltos. Para este proceso se generaron casos ficticios y también se contó con la participación de voluntarios para realizar las pruebas. Conclusiones: Se presentan los apartes del instrumento utilizado en la ENSM 2015.

Introduction: Population surveys on mental health are performed as part of the inputs required for the creation, implementation and evaluation of policies related to mental health, worldwide, and as an initiative of theWorld Health Organisation (WHO).was held The fourth National Survey of Mental Health (ENSM 2015)was carried out during the first half of 2015 on a representative sample of 2,727 children between 7 and 11 years of age, 1,754 adolescents, and 10, 870 adults who were selected throughout the country. Objective: To describe the selection and definition of the tools used to measure mental health (including social cognition and violence), problems, mental disorders, and the evaluation of health states, as well as to describe the process used to develop the data collection tools finally used. Results: The measurement of mental disorders in children was performed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC), and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview(CIDI)was used for adolescents and adults. For the remaining components evaluated in the survey, a search was conducted on the tools used at a national and international level. The selection of the toos used for the evaluation was based on the questions made by each tool, as well as the scientific validity that could be obtained from the results. In some cases the complete tool (as published) was used, in other cases the tools were constructed unifying parts of different ones, or questions were written based on the concepts or characteristics to be measured. Subsequently, a validation of content, concept and semantic of every tool was carried out, including the CIDI and DISC. The resulting tools were used on a group of people with different characteristics. It was noted that further clarification was necessary for some people to fully understand what was being asked. Because the collection of all the information in the survey would be computer assisted, a stream format was generated to guide the implementation in Blaise software, after the creation and wording of each tool in order to review the validation process of the survey and to ensure the integrity in the order of questions and their format. Fictitious cases were generated during the process, and volunteers participated in the testing. Conclusions: The tools for information collection used in the National Survey of Mental Health 2015 are presented.

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Introducción: La Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental 2015 (ENSM 2015) es la cuarta que se realiza en el país y se enmarca en el Sistema Nacional de Encuestas y estudios poblacionales para salud de Colombia. Métodos: Se presenta una descripción narrativa de los antecedentes, los referentes, el proceso de elaboración y las características del protocolo de la ENSM 2015. La ENSM 2015 y el protocolo parten de unos requisitos que dan soporte a las políticas nacionales en salud e internacionales relacionadas con salud mental. Para su elaboración se trabaja junto con el Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social para definir los objetivos, los instrumentos de recolección, la muestra y el plan operativo. Como objetivo principal se definió brindar información actualizada acerca de la salud mental, los problemas, los trastornos mentales, la accesibilidad de los servicios y la valoración de estados de salud, de la población colombiana rural y urbana mayor de 7 años de edad, en la que privilegió su comprensión desde los determinantes sociales y la equidad. Para ello se decidió realizar un estudio observacional de corte transversal en el ámbito nacional, con representatividad nacional, regional y por franjas de edad: 7-11, 12-17 y ≥ 18 años. Las regiones consideradas fueron: Central, Oriental, Atlántica, Pacífica y Bogotá, con un tamaño de muestra total calculado como mínimo de 12.080 sujetos y máximo de 14.496. Conclusiones: Se presenta un breve resumen del protocolo que puede ser consultado en su totalidad en la página web del MSPS que incluye los instrumentos de recolección.

Introduction: The 2015 National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) is the fourth mental survey conducted in Colombia, and is part of the National System of Surveys and Population Studies for health. Methods: A narrative description is used to explain the background, references, the preparation, and characteristics of the 2015 NMHS. The 2015 NMHS and its protocol emerge from the requirements that support the national and international policies related to mental health. Together with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the objectives, the collection tools, the sample, and the operational plan are defined. The main objective was to obtain updated information about the mental health, mental problems and disorders, accessibility to health services, and an evaluation of health conditions. Participants were inhabitants from both urban and rural areas, over 7 years old, and in whom the comprehension of social determinants and equity were privileged. An observational cross-sectional design with national, regional and age group representativity, was used. The age groups selected were 7-11, 12-17, and over 18 years old. The regions considered were Central, Orient, Atlantic, Pacific, and Bogota. The calculated sample had a minimum of 12,080 and a maximum of 14,496 participants. Conclusions: A brief summary of the protocol of the 2015 NMHS is presented. The full document with all the collection tools can be consulted on the Health Ministry webpage.

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La Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental-ENSM 2015, apoyada por el Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social y Colciencias, realizada por la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana en alianza con Datos, Procesos y Tecnología - SAS, es la cuarta de este tipo en Colombia. Entrevistó a 15.531 personas con el objetivo de: Brindar información actualizada acerca de la salud mental, los problemas, trastornos mentales, la accesibilidad a los servicios y medicamentos, de la población colombiana rural y urbana mayor de 7 años, privilegiando su comprensión desde los determinantes sociales y la equidad. La intención de actualizar, considerada en el objetivo, refiere también a la necesidad de situar el estudio históricamente y contextualizarlo, determinando sus posibilidades o limitaciones para responder a las exigencias actuales de información, dado que los cambios vividos en el país, particularmente en la última década, en lo tocante a las orientaciones políticas y normativas, los aportes conceptuales y los procesos sociales, culturales y políticos, han reconfigurado de manera significativa el campo de la salud mental.

The National Survey of Mental Health-ENSM 2015, supported by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and Colciencias, conducted by the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in partnership with Data, Processes and Technology - SAS, is the fourth of its kind in Colombia. It interviewed 15,531 people with the aim of: Provide updated information about mental health, problems, mental disorders, accessibility to services and medicines, of the rural and urban Colombian population over 7 years of age, privileging its understanding from the social determinants and equity. The intention to update, considered in the objective, also refers to the need to situate the study historically and contextualise it, determining its possibilities or limitations to respond to the current demands for information, given that the changes experienced in the country, particularly in the last decade, in terms of political and regulatory orientations, conceptual contributions and social, cultural and political processes, have significantly reconfigured the field of mental health.

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Introducción: La enfermedad mental es una de las afecciones que genera más discapacidad en el mundo. Se estima que 1 de cada 4 personas la padece o la ha padecido en su vida. Desde sus inicios, la enfermedad mental ha estado ligada a la estigmatización y el prejuicio, con implicaciones importantes para el ejercicio de derechos humanos, incluido el de la salud, pues impiden su detección y su adecuado tratamiento. Eliminar el estigma requiere intervenciones variadas, especialmente la participación de las personas con estos trastornos. Las redes sociales virtuales son una alternativa para que ellas y otras interesadas interactúen en pro de aclarar inquietudes y modificar la situación de exclusión. Método: Descripción de la experiencia del grupo de opinión y apoyo en Facebook «Aceptando mentes dementes¼, dirigido a personas con trastorno mental, familiares y otros, buscando hacer visible el problema del estigma y contribuir a evitar sus consecuencias. Análisis de la información cuantitativa y cualitativa recogida en 2,5 años de funcionamiento del grupo, conformado por 764 miembros de distintos países. Resultados: Se alcanzaron los propósitos del grupo de difusión de información, interacción asociada con la manifestación de experiencias y obtención de apoyo. Conclusiones: La red social virtual permite, con bajos costes, conformar comunidades con necesidades específicas y brindar apoyo. La puesta en público del estigma ligado a la enfermedad mental ayuda a crear conciencia y generar opciones de cambio. Para mantener el grupo y vincularlo a otros recursos se incluirá en el espacio virtual www.mentalpuntoapoyo.com.

Introduction: Mental illness is one of the diseases that generates more disability worldwide, and it is estimated that one in four people has or has had this kind of illness during their lives. Since the beginning, mental illness has been frequently linked to stigma and prejudice, which has important implications for the exercise of their human rights, including the right to health, as these preconceptions can delay their early detection and timely treatment. Eliminating stigma requires multiple interventions, in which the participation of people with these illnesses can be very helpful. Social networks portray an alternative for them and for people interested in this topic, helping them interact, clarify some concerns and doubts, and perhaps even modify their exclusion status. Method: Describing the experience of the opinion and support group on Facebook called "Aceptando mentes dementes" ("Accepting Demented Minds"), created for people with mental illnesses, their families and any person interested in this matter, which seeks to make the impact and consequences that result from stigma more noticable. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected over two and a half years of operation of the group, formed by 764 members from different countries. Results: The aims of the group, as regards the spreading of information, interaction through shared experiences, and obtaining support were reached. Conclusions: Social networks allow the creation of communities that share specific needs, such as understanding and support, and all this at low cost. Knowing and being conscious about the stigma linked to mental illness helps raise awareness and generate options for change. To maintain and link it to other resources, the group will be included in the web site www.mentalpuntoapoyo.com.

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INTRODUCTION: Mental illness is one of the diseases that generates more disability worldwide, and it is estimated that one in four people has or has had this kind of illness during their lives. Since the beginning, mental illness has been frequently linked to stigma and prejudice, which has important implications for the exercise of their human rights, including the right to health, as these preconceptions can delay their early detection and timely treatment. Eliminating stigma requires multiple interventions, in which the participation of people with these illnesses can be very helpful. Social networks portray an alternative for them and for people interested in this topic, helping them interact, clarify some concerns and doubts, and perhaps even modify their exclusion status. METHOD: Describing the experience of the opinion and support group on Facebook called "Aceptando mentes dementes" ("Accepting Demented Minds"), created for people with mental illnesses, their families and any person interested in this matter, which seeks to make the impact and consequences that result from stigma more noticable. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected over two and a half years of operation of the group, formed by 764 members from different countries. RESULTS: The aims of the group, as regards the spreading of information, interaction through shared experiences, and obtaining support were reached. CONCLUSIONS: Social networks allow the creation of communities that share specific needs, such as understanding and support, and all this at low cost. Knowing and being conscious about the stigma linked to mental illness helps raise awareness and generate options for change. To maintain and link it to other resources, the group will be included in the web site www.mentalpuntoapoyo.com.

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To study the effect of education and language of response at the interview on performance in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) domains, we studied 2861 Mexican Americans aged 65 and older from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) followed from 1993 to 1994 until 2004 to 2005. The MMSE was examined as total score (0-30) or divided into 2 global domains: (1) no-memory (score 0-24): Orientation, attention, and language; and (2) memory (score 0-6): working and delayed memory. Mean age and total MMSE were 72.7 years and 24.6 at baseline, and 81.7 years and 20.5 at 11 years of follow-up. Spanish-speaking participants had less education (4.1 vs 7.4 years, P < .0001), they had significantly higher adjusted mean scores for memory, no-memory, and total MMSE compared with English-speaking participants. In multivariate longitudinal analyses, participants with more years of education performed better than those with less education, especially in total MMSE and no-memory domain. Spanish-speaking participants with 4 to 6 years of education had higher memory scores than those speaking English (estimate 0.40, standard error [SE] = 0.14, P < .001), 7 to 11 (estimate 0.27, standard error = 0.13, P < .01) or 12+ (estimate 0.44, standard error = 0.13, P < .001). Results suggest that cultural factors and variables related to preferred language use determined variations in MMSE performance. Because the memory domain of the MMSE is less affected by education, it may be used along with other cognitive tests for early detection of cognitive decline in older populations with low education.

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