Mental health risks and self-harm rates rise among youth

Mental health challenges among youth, specifically regarding self-harm and suicide risk, are highlighted through recent observations and data. In Coahuila, Mexico, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) rates among adolescents and young adults exceed the national average. According to the 2025 National Survey of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Consumption, 10.1% of women aged 12 to 29 in the state have engaged in self-harm, compared to 4.6% of men. The primary drivers reported include the need to alleviate emotional pain, reduce anxiety, or escape problems.

Experts note that suicidal behavior is rarely caused by a single event but is often the result of a complex combination of emotional suffering, isolation, and mental health issues. Protective factors such as social connections, daily purpose, and a sense of meaning can provide emotional support, though they do not replace professional medical treatment. Factors such as cyberbullying, academic failure, and family crises often act as triggers within a broader context of vulnerability.