Mexican schools implement mental health and addiction prevention programs

Educational institutions in Mexico are implementing various screening and prevention programs to address substance abuse and mental health issues among students. In Morelos, the Centros de Integración Juvenil (CIJ) conducted screenings for over 10,000 high school students across 40 campuses. The results indicated that 3.25% of students had used methamphetamines at some point, while 1.35% reported active use within the last month. Additionally, 9.75% reported lifetime marijuana use. The study also revealed that 65.24% of students experienced emotional distress, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and impulse control difficulties.

In Nuevo Laredo, the Municipal Institute for the Prevention of Addictions, Conducts, and Antisocial Trends (IMPACTA) has reinforced psychological support and preventive actions in schools. These efforts focus on suicide prevention, bullying, addiction, child abuse, and sexual abuse. Programs include psychological orientation, emotional management workshops for primary students, and the installation of anonymous reporting boxes in secondary schools to facilitate the detection of bullying cases.