# Expansion of public mental health services in Latin America > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/expansion-of-public-mental-health-services-in-latin-america > Updated: 2026-10-28T18:45:26.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Local and regional authorities in several Latin American regions are expanding access to free psychological support and mental health services. In Spain and Mexico, youth-focused initiatives have been highlighted. The Instituto Riojano de la Juventud in La Rioja expanded its ‘Te escucho joven’ service to three afternoons per week for residents aged 14 to 35. Meanwhile, in Querétaro, Mexico, the Secretaría de la Juventud del Estado utilizes a 24/7 chat service to address anxiety and stress among students, having provided over 400,000 services in the last five years. Further efforts to address anxiety and depression are being implemented in Argentina and Mexico. In La Banda, Argentina, the Municipal Health Department has deployed professionals across various neighborhoods and community centers to provide free consultations. In Torreón, Mexico, the Municipal Public Health Directorate has established free psychological assessments available in both morning and afternoon shifts to facilitate early detection and follow-up care. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-28: Municipalities in Argentina and Mexico offer free mental health services Municipalities in La Banda, Argentina, and Torreón, Mexico, are providing free psychological services to help citizens detect and treat anxiety and depression. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/municipalities-in-argentina-and-mexico-offer-free-mental-health-services ### 2026-10-21: Youth mental health services expand in La Rioja and Querétaro Youth mental health initiatives are expanding, with La Rioja increasing free counseling sessions and Querétaro reporting up to 50 daily psychological support requests via chat. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/youth-mental-health-services-expand-in-la-rioja-and-quertaro --- Cite as: Expansion of public mental health services in Latin America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/expansion-of-public-mental-health-services-in-latin-america