biostudies-literatureMoreno-Serra REconomic and Social Research CouncilUniversidad de los AndesDepartment for International DevelopmentMedical Research CouncilUniversity of YorkWellcome Trust4https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10845752biostudies-literatureUnknown18(1)<h4>Background</h4>Focusing on the Meta region in Colombia, we investigated the relationship between mental health, the COVID-19 pandemic, and social determinants of health influenced by over five decades of civil conflict. We studied the post-2016 peace agreement trends in mental health for the population of Meta, before and after the local onset of the pandemic.<h4>Method</h4>We conducted three rounds of a longitudinal health survey in years 2018 with N = 1309 (Women = 709; Men = 600); 2019 with N = 1106 (Women = 597; Men = 509); and 2020 with N = 905 (Women = 499; Men = 406). We measured mental health through the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20), investigating population trends in the average SRQ score and SRQ-positive frequency (SRQ + , indicating positive tendency towards experienciInternational journal of mental health systemsTrends in mental health before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal survey of a conflict-affected population in Colombia.PMC10845752MR/R013667/1G0075501Jater-Maldonado NLeon-Giraldo SCasas GBernal OMoreno-Serra RfalseTrends in mental health before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal survey of a conflict-affected population in Colombia.<h4>Background</h4>Focusing on the Meta region in Colombia, we investigated the relationship between mental health, the COVID-19 pandemic, and social determinants of health influenced by over five decades of civil conflict. We studied the post-2016 peace agreement trends in mental health for the population of Meta, before and after the local onset of the pandemic.<h4>Method</h4>We conducted three rounds of a longitudinal health survey in years 2018 with N = 1309 (Women = 709; Men = 600); 2019 with N = 1106 (Women = 597; Men = 509); and 2020 with N = 905 (Women = 499; Men = 406). We measured mental health through the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20), investigating population trends in the average SRQ score and SRQ-positive frequency (SRQ + , indicating positive tendency towards experienci2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Feb2025-04-22T03:26:39.904Z2025-04-05T20:42:05.318ZS-EPMC108457523831716910.1186/s13033-024-00621-1