Mental health initiatives held in Argentina and Chile

Mental health initiatives and academic discussions are taking place in Argentina and Chile. In Formosa, Argentina, the Municipal Secretariat of Social Action held an open talk titled “What do we know about suicide?” at the Simón Bolívar neighborhood sports center. Led by psychologists Belén Gómez and Lara Fink, the session aimed to dismantle myths and provide tools for listening to and supporting individuals in crisis. Secretary Paula Cattáneo emphasized that responsible discussion can encourage those suffering to seek help without fear of judgment.

In Buenos Aires Province, the Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche (UNAJ) hosted a seminar titled “Mental health, necessary debates: Youth and mental health.” Bianca Puntareli Vicencio, an occupational therapy academic from Universidad Andrés Bello in Chile, served as a guest speaker. Her presentation addressed the impact of hyperconnectivity on youth well-being and proposed the use of nature, such as “forest bathing,” as a community-based strategy for mental health prevention and social transformation.