Danuta Wasserman, president of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), along with Dr. Alejandro Molina-López, president of the Mexican Psychiatric Association (APM), and Dr. José Benjamín Guerrero, Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, met to address the issue of youth suicide, highlighting the importance of developing programs and strategies to connect more closely with this vulnerable group.
In a conference on youth suicide prevention held at the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr. Wasserman emphasized the need to detect early warning signs and create supportive and understanding environments for young people going through difficult situations. She invited all attendees to take an active role in preventing youth suicide, stressing the importance of collaboration and empathy to save lives.
As part of the conference, an invitation was extended to participate in the upcoming World Psychiatry Congress WCP 2024, which will be held in Mexico City. In another setting, Dr. Molina-López and Dr. Borrayo Sánchez from the APM welcomed Dr. Wasserman and shared the plans and programs that UNAM has in this area.
Dr. Wasserman highlighted the importance of early intervention and collaborative efforts among medical personnel, educators, and families to identify and address potential suicide risks in young people. Topics also addressed included socioeconomic factors influencing mental health, such as the high suicide rates in low- and middle-income countries, and the need to reduce stigma around mental health issues.
The potential impact of artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, on suicide prevention was also discussed, always being handled responsibly. Dr. Wasserman emphasized the importance of promoting safe spaces for young people to feel heard and supported regarding their mental health, highlighting the need for innovative approaches in suicide prevention.
