Mental health disorders are common in Mexico. Around 40% of young people may have had a mental health disorder in the past year, affecting their well-being, education, and social life.
Unfortunately, most young people with mental health concerns do not receive the treatment they need. The Mexican Adolescent Mental Health Survey found that less than 1 in 7 adolescents with a mental health disorder received treatment for that disorder and treatment experiences were often inadequate.
That’s why many distinguished families are looking abroad for mental health treatment. Residential treatment centres like The Wave offer a diverse range of evidence-based modalities that may be inaccessible locally, delivered with exceptional experience and expertise. They offer a safe and supported environment to support young people with more complex needs.
At The Wave, we go further than exceptional clinical care. We provide personal learning programs so young people can continue their education as they recover from mental illness. We offer additional vocational qualifications, volunteering opportunities, and cultural learning to broaden and enrich young people’s knowledge and skills.
What Mental Health Concerns Do Young People in Mexico Experience?
Adolescence is a time of change. Young people are developing physically, socially, and emotionally. They’re exploring their identity and finding their place in their community, becoming more independent and taking on responsibilities. They may experience stress from school work, exams, and concerns about the future.
These changes make adolescents particularly vulnerable to mental health problems. Globally, research suggests that almost half of all mental health disorders start before the age of 14. Mental illness is more common in people between the ages of 18 and 25 than in any other age group.
Like other places in the world, many young people in Mexico experience challenges with their mental health. The Mexican Adolescent Mental Health Survey, published in 2009, collected data on the prevalence of mental health disorders among over 3000 adolescents aged 12-17. They found that in the past 12 months:
- 29.8% had experienced an anxiety disorder like phobia, social phobia, or general anxiety disorder
- 7.2% had experienced a mood disorder like depression
- 15.3% had experienced an impulse-control disorder like conduct disorder or oppositional-defiant disorder
- 3.3% had experienced a substance use disorder
- One in eleven had experienced a serious mental health disorder
- Young people with more educated parents were more likely to access treatment
A 2016 survey looked into mental health disorders among young adults aged 19-26. They found that 37.9% developed a mental health disorder in the past 8 years. In this age group, substance use disorders were the most common type of disorder and anxiety disorders were less common.
Accessing Mental Health Treatment in Mexico
Data suggests that around 14% of adolescents with a mental health disorder receive treatment. The Mexican Adolescent Mental Health Survey found that treatment was mostly accessed through mental health providers or through the school system – and was rarely offered in general medical practices.
In many places in the world, general doctors are a key access point to mental health treatment, offering initial support and care and referring to specialist services when necessary. Without this pathway, young people may find it more difficult to locate and receive appropriate support.
The study found that parents’ education was linked to accessing treatment for young people. When parents have more knowledge and awareness about mental health issues, they are more able to support a young person. This might involve recognising the signs of mental health disorders, understanding the necessity of professional support, and knowing how and where to access services.
Experiences of Mental Health Treatment in Mexico
When young people do access mental health services, they still may not receive effective treatment. In one survey, over 40% of treatment received was not considered ‘minimally adequate’, particularly for anxiety disorders (the most common type of disorder).
Mental health service providers from the healthcare sector were found to offer the lowest quality of care. These services are the most commonly accessed by young people.
In general, there is a huge shortage of effective specialist mental health support for children and adolescents. Many evidence-based treatments for children and adolescents are not available in Mexico and by 2010, there were only 200 psychiatrists in Mexico licensed to provide treatment for children. This means there was around 1 psychiatrist for every 200,000 children.
The Wave: Residential Mental Health Support for Young People
With limited access to effective mental health support in Mexico, distinguished families may look abroad for treatment. At The Wave, we offer specialist mental health support for young people, providing the high-quality care each young person deserves.
We offer a diverse selection of evidence-based treatments including behavioural and trauma therapies. We provide individual and group sessions, as well as family therapy and other interventions. All our programs are led and delivered by specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry.
Supporting Complex Needs
At The Wave, we specialise in complex trauma, eating disorders, and borderline personality disorder. With our expertise, we support young people with even the most complex needs, sensitively and carefully addressing the interplay of causes and consequences. We focus on experiences of trauma from the beginning of treatment, recognising the pervasive effects of previous experiences on a young person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
For young people at the highest risk, we offer 24-hour medical support, equipment, and facilities, keeping them safe at all times. We provide collective living structures that nurture supportive and inspirational friendships built on shared experiences and goals.
Continuing Education
We understand the importance of continuing education for young people during their time at The Wave. We offer personal learning programs through online platforms, in partnership with prestigious schools and universities. We support our online learning with one-to-one in-person sessions with professors and tutors from international education institutions based in the area.
We also seek to broaden young people’s experience and vision through vocational learning. We facilitate the discovery of new life paths and skills development as young people grow in self-confidence.
Family Focus
At The Wave, we recognise the invaluable role families play in a young person’s recovery. Families can reinforce positive behaviours and provide support in more challenging times. Healthy family systems create a collective resilience that benefits every family member.
We involve families in a young person’s treatment program through family therapy and other interventions, inviting family members to The Wave to attend sessions. We also connect families to others in our communities of parents, organising formal and informal events where families can support each other and share experiences. These connections often endure after young people have returned home when families meet together to continue lasting friendships.
Contact Us
If you’re interested in finding out more about our programs, get in touch today online or by phone. We’re committed to privacy and confidentiality in every interaction.
