Prevención del suicidio mediante tamizaje de depresión en mujeres en el Hospital Público De Morelia

Depression is one of the main risk factors for suicide, especially among adult women. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the PHQ-9 questionnaire for the early detection of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in women treated at the Hospital de la Mujer of the IMSS Bienestar in Morelia, Michoacán. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 59 women over 18 years old, who completed the PHQ-9 and a sociodemographic questionnaire.Results revealed that 64.4% of participants exhibited mild to severe depressive symptoms, and 15.3% reported suicidal ideation. Most participants were housewives (50.8%), had a secondary level of education (33.9%), and lived in urban areas (83.1%). A significant correlation was found between depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and sociodemographic factors such as age, marital status, and educational level. The use of the PHQ-9 proved to be an effective, simple, and low-cost tool to identify priority cases requiring psychiatric care, allowing for timely referrals. It is concluded that incorporating depression screening in public hospitals may enhance early detection and intervention, potentially reducing suicide incidence. The systematic implementation of mental health evaluation protocols, the formation of multidisciplinary teams, and the strengthening of patient-centered care in high-vulnerability clinical settings are recommended.