Chile and Mexico launch mental‑health initiatives to expand care and prevent addictions

In Arica, Chile, the municipal health department (DISAM) announced a new program to provide continuous mental‑health support for individuals diagnosed with mental‑health conditions. The initiative, backed by mayor Orlando Vargas and regional governor Diego Paco, will be financed by the regional government (GORE) and include the youth centre "Espacio Juvenial Integral," which offers psychologists, nutritionists and social workers without the need for appointments.

In Tijuana, Mexico, the Hospital de Salud Mental and the Interdisciplinary Council for Mental Health and Addictions (CISAMA) signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen addiction prevention and treatment. The pact includes training, data collection for an observatory, preferential hospital rates for addiction‑related crises, and a focus on rising substance use among minors, especially methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.

Both programs aim to improve access to mental‑health services and address growing concerns about substance abuse among young people.