Mental health and addiction prevention in Mexico and Costa R

Educational and community institutions in Mexico and Costa Rica are implementing programs to address mental health and substance abuse among students and youth.

In Costa Rica, the Universidad Nacional (UNA) in Heredia declared an emergency due to rising cases of anxiety, depression, and emotional crises. This has led to a collaborative project between public institutions and educational centers to provide early warning tools, with the goal of expanding these mental health prevention measures to a national scale.

In Mexico, efforts have expanded from large-scale screenings to localized community and school-based programs. In Morelos, the Centros de Integración Juvenil (CIJ) previously screened over 10,000 high school students, finding that 65.24% experienced emotional distress. More recently, municipal authorities in Cuautla launched the ‘Conociendo mis emociones’ workshop for primary school students as part of the Escuela Segura program to foster emotional management and healthy coexistence.

In Yucatán, religious and business leaders have proposed a five-point action plan, including the creation of ‘listening centers’ in companies and a Vocational Youth Center to prevent addiction and suicide. Additionally, Cepredey and Save the Children are coordinating a community immersion strategy in Hunukú, Temozón. Scheduled for November 9 to 14, this initiative involves approximately 849 students and 36 teachers in activities designed to prevent addictions, promote responsible social media use, and identify local risk factors through community engagement.

In Nuevo Laredo, the Municipal Institute for the Prevention of Addictions, Conducts, and Antisocial Trends (IMPACTA) continues to reinforce psychological support to address suicide prevention, bullying, and addiction.