BY RODOLFO ROSALES
On the morning of this Wednesday, August 24, the work of the 2nd and 3rd International Congress was inaugurated. National symposium on the prevention of suicide and the promotion of mental health in children and adolescents.
In the virtual presidium were the teacher Andrés Govea, rector of the La Salle Nezahualcóyotl University, Dr. Paulina Arenas, from the Community Psychological Care Center, Dr. Marco Martínez, from Preven: "Caring for and Thinking about your Health", Mr. Juan Núñez, from México Saludhable, Ms. Elizabeth Reyes, executive director of Cleto Reyes, Dr. María Julia Marinissen, from the health department of the US Embassy in Mexico, and Ms. Alejandra Rubio Patiño.
The general consensus of the members of the presidium was that preventing suicide and promoting mental health is everyone's task: government, civil society and private initiative.
“Of course, it is very important to attend to and understand the problem of suicide and its trends among children and adolescents, that they understand the value of life, helping them to be better citizens, said teacher Andrés Govea, rector of La Salle University. neza.
He recognized the work of the participants to attack this problem and pointed out that last year there were eight thousand participants from 23 countries and that this year there are 26 countries; 20 from Latin America and 6 from Europe.
While Dr. Paulina Arenas, from the Community Center for Psychological Care, explained that in this situation it is not only about caring for children and young people, but also their parents, because the problem of suicide comes from the environment, from the family, of the Friends. It must be a joint effort to build a different Mexico.”.
While Dr. Marco Martínez, from Preven, thanked those present for their participation, as well as their interest in finding alternatives to reduce the risk of suicide, channeling young people and promoting mental health.
The person who was direct in his comments was Mr. Juan Núñez, from México Saludhable: Our children and young people suffer because they lack love, food, decent housing, ill-treatment from family members, friends and even public servants..
For Juan Núñez, this problem is also suffered by those who have excess and live a crazy life, they affirm, as in the 70s and 80s, the punks said it, I don't know what I want, but I want it now. Between lack and excess, the antisocial grows, which results in addictions and suicidal tendencies.s”.
While the attorney Elizabeth Reyes, executive director of Cleto Reyes and member of WBC Cares, stressed that suicide continues to be a taboo in families and, sometimes, we do not have enough studies to address this situation.”.
He added that I am in the sports area and I want to tell you that mental health is linked to sport and I am not only referring to boxing, but to all disciplines because it allows us to release endorphins, work as a team, reduces stress, relieves anxiety, stimulates memory, increases self-esteem and is an excellent ally for mental health.”.
He affirmed that sport serves to avoid many ills that afflict our society. I invite you to follow Cleto Reyes' Spirit of a Champion program, WBC Cares and Live without drugs.”.
Dr. María Julia Marinissen, from the health department of the United States embassy in Mexico, recognized the effort being made in our country to prevent suicide in children and young people.
“In our country we are interested in solving a very big problem, through the Agency for the Administration of Banned Substances and Mental Health, which published a guide to know and understand the reasons for suicide; In addition, he published a study, carried out before the pandemic, which found that 17 percent of high school students had suicidal tendencies and that 7.4% of that total tried it at least once..
In his country, he said, the suicide trend is known to occur among children, young adults, the LGBT community, minor ethnic groups and those addicted to prohibited substances.
“The Administration of Banned Substances and Mental Health created the 988 number called the National Suicide Prevention Line, where young people can call and are channeled to a counselor who works in 200 cities in the United States of America..
Finally, Alejandra Rubio Patiño, licensed, formally declared the work of the 2nd International Congress and 3rd. National symposium on the prevention of suicide and the promotion of mental health in children and adolescents, which will last until August 26, 2022.
