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Mental health professionals urge a comprehensive look at the needs of children and youth in Puerto Rico

(Mayagüez, PR) – Adopting a broad human rights perspective on the development of children and youth in Puerto Rico will be the focus of a meeting between the country’s mental health professionals and other experts. The symposium titled “Comprehensive Development and Well-being of Children and Youth: A Socio-Structural Perspective” will be hosted by the Puerto Rico Psychology Association on March 10 and 11 at the University of Puerto Rico’s Mayagüez Campus, supported by Grupo Nexos. This nonprofit organization is committed to implementing scientifically proven community intervention strategies, providing knowledge, and offering expert advice in various areas.

Puerto Rico’s poverty rate stands at 43.4%, the highest across the United States, according to 2021 Census data. This pattern mirrors the situation of children and young people living below the country’s poverty levels. The symposium aims to tackle the conditions of children and youth within this context from a human rights perspective and to draw psychology professionals and interested parties closer to the most urgent issues affecting this demographic.

“Children and youth in Puerto Rico have faced traumatic situations over the past 6 years, during a time when governmental austerity measures have led to cuts in resources aimed at fostering their well-being. It’s crucial to have multidisciplinary and multisectoral meetings and work plans to address their needs. We aim to create spaces where the voices of our children and youth are heard seriously,” stated Dr. Eduardo A. Lugo Hernández, the symposium coordinator.

“Poverty is the principal structural barrier feeding health disparities in Puerto Rico. Addressing poverty and establishing policies, practices, and programs that can enhance the well-being of young people and have a collective impact on the population level should be our country’s priority,” added Dr. Marizaida Sánchez Cesáreo, a community clinical psychologist and the executive director of Grupo Nexos.

The symposium will offer two keynote speeches, followed by workshops designed to develop skills for individual and collective action. Subsequently, there will be several dialogue groups with professionals and representatives from non-governmental organizations to discuss innovative intervention strategies. The aim is to facilitate an exchange of ideas on strategies and projects to meet the urgent needs of children and youth.

Targeted at psychology professionals, educators, social workers, counselors, and those interested in working with these populations, the event promises insightful discussions and networking opportunities. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.asppr.net/simposio.