Breathe
By Mafer Olvera
In a country where today the three main causes of death among people between 15 and 35 years of age are homicides, suicides and traffic accidents,60% of which are relatedto alcohol and drug consumption, it is clear that we are doing something very wrong. Abandonment, lack of attention, exclusion, marginalization, violence, hopelessness, indolence? Where are the priorities of public policies for youth? Do we have a clear youth policy in Mexico beyond granting them social support?
So far, there is no clear vision of who they are and what it feels like to be young in this country. During recent campaigns, actions aimed at young people were mentioned, but in no case was a specific, current, clear, robust and trans-sexennial agenda presented.
In her campaign, the recently elected president Claudia Sheinbaum mentioned some of the actions she could implement that impact young people to a greater or lesser extent. I list them according to the areas in which they would have an impact:
In education:
- Universal scholarship for preschool, elementary and high school students.
- Extended school hours for more physical and arts education.
- Nutrition, psychology, dental care, eye exams, free eyeglasses and addiction prevention programs in schools.
In security:
- Federal strategy to discourage the recruitment of young people by organized crime with programs such as Jóvenes Unen al Barrio and Barrio Adentro.
In gender violence:
- National program for women's lawyers in all public prosecutors' offices, in coordination with local prosecutors' offices.
- Combating digital violence against women and reforms for the recognition of all women.
In economics:
- Maintenance of social programs and increases in the minimum wage in real terms.
So much for the campaign. These actions, although isolated, could have a positive impact on the lives of young people. However, there is still no cross-cutting youth public policy agenda. To design it, it is necessary to understand that the country's agenda itself needs a youth perspective.
In terms of security and violence, the leading cause of death, which in 2022 registered a historic figure of 15,617 deaths according to INEGI, we still do not know what major actions will be taken to change the figures at all levels of government. It is not encouraging that more young people are dying of murder or forced disappearance. Actions must begin with sizing up the problem, understanding the causes and acting with the necessary coordination. This includes personnel who live daily with young people, police, doctors, public ministries, authorities, the business sector, families and society as a whole.
In terms of deaths by suicide, the second leading cause, which in 2022 registered 8,123 deaths according to INEGI, the strategy for prevention and follow-up in mental health and psychoemotional wellbeing is also unclear. Beyond offering psychological care in schools, which is a good step, we are facing a polarized generation. The key is to listen to them, attend to them, diagnose them in a timely manner and promote mental health and emotional care services in every possible corner.
In vehicular accidents associated with the consumption of alcohol and other substances, the third leading cause of death for young people, which in 2022 registered 2,040, it would be necessary to understand the motives that lead them to risk their lives and those of others. Many of these motives are associated with mental disorders, emotional pain, abandonment, invisibilization, addictions and the need to avoid their reality.
All risk behavior is associated with emotional and mental factors. In adolescence and youth, these factors are accentuated due to biological and hormonal changes. Contexts of violence, social, family and school pressure, and personal expectations are drivers of stress, fear and hopelessness; precursors of anxiety and depression. Ignoring these factors will continue to nurture these major unnatural causes of death.
From here we will be attentive to the next steps and to how the campaign promises materialize, waiting for a robust strategy of mapping trends and risk behaviors, deep actions and high impact programs with mechanisms of enforceability and proof of political junctures, occurrences and public servants. Because no young person should be left behind; no more preventable deaths.
*Mafer Olvera is a specialist in youth public policy. She was director of the Youth Institute of the CDMX, 2012-2018. Creator of the Hospital de las Emociones Model. UN Awards, 2017 and CHIUKU MTV Latin America, 2016. Speaker at the UN High Level Forum, NY, 2016 and 2017. Advocate for the right to wellness and mental health.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
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