Mexico proposes law overhaul and Spain launches school screening to curb youth suicide

Mexico's Congress of Mexico City is reviewing a proposal to amend the General Law on the Rights of Children and Adolescents by adding Article 2 Bis. The amendment would require the National System for the Integral Protection of Children and Adolescents (SIPINNA) to issue a national protocol for critical suicide interventions, ensuring 24‑hour specialized staff at general hospitals and coordinated response across health, education, justice and communication sectors. If approved by the city commission, the reform would be sent to the federal congress for enactment.

In Spain, the Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz convened its VI Patient‑Based Psychiatry Conference, emphasizing early detection and personalized care for youth mental health. Specialists highlighted the SENSE programme (Screening for Emotional Needs and Self‑help), which uses schools to screen adolescents for anxiety, depression, self‑harm and suicidal behaviours, linking positive cases to mental‑health services. The initiative aims to improve coordination among health, educational and family resources and to intervene before conditions become chronic.