Querétaro launches youth mental‑health legislative program

Virginia Hernández, head of the Secretariat of Youth of Querétaro (SEJUVE), presented the "Legislatura de la Juventud 2026" to the state Congress, creating a platform for young people to draft mental‑health‑focused legislative proposals. The initiative accepts participants aged 12‑17 and 18‑29, runs through 13 stages including an initial evaluation, legislative training for finalists, and a final presentation before a qualifying jury. The top three proposals receive cash awards of 45,000, 25,000 and 15,000 pesos respectively.

SEJUVE emphasizes mental‑health prevention, aiming to reduce risks such as criminal activity or self‑harm among youths by providing safe spaces, activities and programs. The department is reviewing the project's details to ensure it does not stigmatise young people and to determine how the Secretariat can contribute effectively.