Mental health trends show divergent suicide rates in Necochea and Montería

Regional reports from Argentina and Colombia highlight contrasting trends in suicide rates and mental health interventions.

In Necochea, Argentina, the National Criminal Information System recorded 16 suicides in 2025. In response to these figures, the District IX of the College of Psychologists of the Province of Buenos Aires has petitioned the local government to request a national mental health emergency declaration. The organization is seeking increased funding, interdisciplinary teams, and a coordinated network involving municipal services and the Taraborelli Hospital to improve access to treatment.

Conversely, in Montería, Colombia, Mayor Hugo Kerguelén García reported a significant decrease in suicide mortality. The rate dropped from 4.34 to 2.78 per 100,000 inhabitants between 2023 and 2025. The administration attributed this decline to community initiatives such as physical activity programs, school-based prevention strategies, and the creation of specialized psychological clinics, which have treated thousands of patients.