- Institutions in the Health sector carry out information, prevention and care actions for people at risk of harming themselves.
- The head of Conasama affirmed that the incidence of suicide in Mexico is below the world average.
- Through the PRONAPS program, more than 13,000 health professionals have received training in managing suicidal behavior.
Suicide is one of the most important issues not only on the world agenda but also on Mexico’s. Among the main adversities is that it is a multifactorial problem. Although thanks to the recent policies that have been applied, a slight decrease has been achieved in our country.
Decreases the incidence in Mexico
through the National Program for the Prevention of Suicide (Pronaps) the incidence rate of deaths due to this cause decreased. In this way, it went from 6.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021 to 6.4 in 2022. However, work must continue to ensure that mental health services reach those who require them, reported the head of the National Commission on Mental Health and Addictions (Conasama)Juan Manuel Quijada Gaytan.
During the ceremony for the World Suicide Prevention Day which was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health in Acapulco, Guerrero, specified that these figures place our country below the world average. He added that there are nations that register up to 16 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants.
Quijada Gaytán highlighted that Pronaps is a unique program in the Americas region and is recognized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). As a result of this leadership, other countries in the region have requested support and advice to address this serious health problem.
“Studies indicate that a person who commits suicide emits up to 18 alert signals before executing it. Many times we don’t realize it because we don’t listen to people, we don’t look them in the eye, because we don’t look at them as equals and because we think there are social classes. We have to understand that this phenomenon occurs in all population groups, at any socioeconomic level and in both urban and rural areas”.
The person in charge of Pronaps, Diana Iris Tejadilla Orozco, asserted that the COVID-19 pandemic, on the one hand, and, on the other, the union of health workers and the awareness of putting the issue of mental health on the table, contributed to lowering the suicide rate.
Training in health professionals
In announcing the progress of Pronaps, he highlighted that to date more than 13,000 professionals have received training in managing suicidal behavior; 46,500 undergraduate doctors and interns and social service interns were screened, of which four percent presented a medium to high risk of suicide, for which they have received specialized care.
He added that the Ministry of Health formed the Community Mental Health Brigades (BCSM)which provide prevention, promotion and reference services in 137 marginalized communities where 31 thousand 181 people live.
Through the Emotional Support Groups (GAE) 362 people were trained, who have attended 15 thousand 344 people through health psychoeducation cycles.
Diana Tejadilla explained that more than 3,600 teachers and 2,300 penitentiary system workers received training, and more than 7,000 police officers have recently registered to take training in mental health, suicide prevention, and addictions.
In addition, the campaign is implemented in the Metro Collective Transportation System (STC), in Mexico City, and courses are given in the penitentiary system.
The head of the Health Project Management area of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), Norma Magdalena Palacios Jiménez, highlighted that two months ago the Action Plan for Suicidal Behavior was implemented in 123 hospitals, prepared with the support and advice Conasama technique and aligned to the Comprehensive Mental Health Program 2021-2024.
He announced that, in terms of mental health, Social Security provides four million annual consultations in the medical units of the three levels of care; mental and behavioral disorders rank sixth and tenth, respectively, as a reason for consultation.
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