Mayumis Núñez, a 44-year-old resident of Centro Habana, finds herself sleeping on a makeshift bed on the sidewalk outside her former home, which has been deemed uninhabitable after its collapse. Each morning, she climbs the remnants of her apartment to wash, if water is available, before heading to work.
Her story, highlighted by AFP, vividly illustrates the harsh reality of "solving" daily life in Cuba when genuine solutions are absent.
People across the island are worn out from constantly devising ways to cope with shortages, power outages, and infrastructural decay. The accumulated stress and suffering are raising alarms among mental health professionals in Cuba.
The Deepening Strain on Mental Health
Tania Peón, the head of Mental Health in Havana, puts it bluntly: "It's stress upon stress." She explains that a significant portion of the population is in a constant state of alert, focused on meeting basic needs without any emotional respite.
Peón warns of a particularly troubling trend among the younger generation: "We've observed an increase in suicidal behavior among our adolescents" in Havana during the first half of this year.
Scientific Evidence and Young Adults at Risk
Scientific data supports these clinical observations. A study published in Social Science & Medicine, based on a survey of 415 Cuban adults conducted between July and November 2025, revealed alarming levels of psychological distress: 55.4% experience extremely severe depression, 66% suffer from severe anxiety, and 65.8% endure extreme stress.
Researchers emphasize that the most harmful aspect isn't the length of power outages, but their impact on disrupting basic routines like cooking, sleeping, working, or studying. Young adults are particularly vulnerable to stress and depressive symptoms.
Medication Shortages and Housing Crisis
Adding to the crisis is the shortage of psychiatric medications. As of 2026, only 30% of essential medications are available in the country, with psychotropic drugs among the missing.
The housing situation exacerbates these issues. Thousands of families live in cramped apartments and dilapidated buildings lacking potable water and suffering from frequent blackouts.
Havana witnesses roughly 1,000 building collapses annually. As of 2026, Cuba faces a housing deficit exceeding 929,000 units. The government completed just 5,493 homes in 2025, far short of the planned 10,795, according to official figures.
A System Under Pressure
In this context, the plight of Mayumis Núñez is not unique but one of many families left exposed without any governmental response. For decades, the regime touted "resolving" as a Cuban virtue, a testament to resilience and popular creativity. However, the accumulated deterioration after 67 years of dictatorship now reveals a different picture: a population under relentless pressure, unable to rest. This ongoing strain is impacting the mental health of adults, youth, and adolescents alike.
Understanding the Mental Health Crisis in Cuba
What is the current mental health situation in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a severe mental health crisis, with high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among its population, exacerbated by chronic shortages, power outages, and deteriorating living conditions.
How are young people in Cuba affected by the crisis?
Young Cubans are particularly vulnerable, showing increased suicidal behavior and heightened sensitivity to stress and depression due to the ongoing socio-economic challenges.
What role does the housing crisis play in Cuba's mental health issues?
The housing crisis exacerbates mental health issues, as many families live in overcrowded, unsafe conditions without essential services, contributing to heightened stress and anxiety.