Mental health care is expanded with a new child psychiatry unit at SALME.

With a modern child psychiatry area in the Jalisco Institute of Mental Health and Addictions (SALME) With 10 new offices for child psychiatrists and child psychological care, two psychoeducational classrooms and dormitory and internment spaces for minors and their families, the State Government is committed to increasing mental health services for children and adolescents in Jalisco .

This unit was inaugurated on the morning of November 10th with the goal of serving seven thousand girls, boys and adolescents annually. Andrea Blanco Calderón, General Strategic Coordinator for Social Development She noted that, in addition to providing medical care, they will work with parents on the prevention of mental health disorders. Among other things, they will offer grief therapy, providing socio-emotional tools to cope with loss, and support for risky behaviors such as self-harm and/or suicidal tendencies.

Furthermore, as part of strengthening mental health care, at the stations of University Square, Line 2 , in Belenes Peripheral Highway and Ávila Camacho, on Line 3 of the Light Rail Listening points with medical personnel and psychologists were set up to prevent suicides.

" We are in a mental health crisis, and we must address it. One in seven children and adolescents aged 10 to 19, almost 15%, has some type of mental disorder, and how many more have gone unidentified and undiagnosed, living in very difficult situations with their families? ", he lamented.

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For their part, Sara del Carmen Valenzuela López, Vice President of the Humanamente Civil Association He emphasized that this space is " a fundamental step to strengthen mental health care for children and adolescents "He acknowledged that children need specialized teams, interdisciplinary work, and a comprehensive vision that considers the school, the family, and their community."

Meanwhile, Governor Pablo Lemus She emphasized that mental health disorders, often leading to suicide, are the third leading cause of death among children and adolescents in Jalisco. She noted that addressing this issue has become a public policy priority for her administration and announced that another child psychiatry unit will be inaugurated in the coming days. Old Civil Hospital of Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde" which will serve not only residents of the metropolitan area, but also those from other municipalities and other entities in the country.

He also warned that there are only 28 child psychiatrists in Jalisco, acknowledging the seriousness of the shortage and urging the state Health Department to strengthen specialization and have more trained personnel in this area.

" The main strategy we are pursuing with the opening of these facilities, and especially with the care we provide, is to prevent suicide among children and young people, which is the third leading cause of death in this population group [...]. Making a problem visible is the first step to solving it. Mental health problems should not be hidden; on the contrary, they must be made visible and addressed. "He concluded.

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