Chapter 7. Interpretative dimensions of social mapping from its application in community processes in Colombia.

This chapter presents a research process that emerged from the professional practices of students of the Master's Degree in Community Psychology and the Psychology program of the UNAD, within the initial phase of the institutional project “Community Mental Health Accompaniment Centers of the UNAD (CASMCUNAD)” in 2021. This project aims to contribute significantly to mental health in Colombia, working with and for the participating communities, and to support the implementation of the mental health care model at the national level in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.

The CASMCUNAD project seeks to promote, prevent, diagnose, treat, follow up, rehabilitate and alleviate mental health problems in the communities, using the theoretical framework of community psychology, social participation and the approach of social appropriation of knowledge. Participation in the initial phase of the project motivated research on the understanding of social mapping in research and community intervention processes. Developing community diagnostics to identify mental health needs and interviewing professionals involved raised the question about the relevance of social mapping as a participatory strategy in the diagnostic, research and community intervention processes of the CASMCUNAD project in 2021.

The research focused on analyzing the relevance of social mapping as a participatory strategy in the processes of research, intervention and diagnosis of community mental health in Colombia. Further study of how social mapping, used in participatory appraisals, facilitates an approach to the community and its real needs and interests was considered fundamental, since the active participation of communities is essential for projects with community impact. The research process was developed under a qualitative methodological approach.