Ciudad Juárez faces urgent mental health crisis due to violence

In Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, mental health has become a critical social issue driven by structural violence, criminality, and labor precariousness. While public discourse often focuses on homicide and crime statistics, the resulting collective trauma remains largely unaddressed.

Research from the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez (UACJ) indicates significant prevalence of anxiety and depression, particularly among youth and those exposed to community violence. Furthermore, data from INEGI shows that Chihuahua maintains high suicide rates compared to the national average, a phenomenon that disproportionately affects young men. The prolonged exposure to violent environments is linked to chronic anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other emotional disturbances.