Calls to “Línea de la Vida” Triple in Early 2025: Mental Health Crisis Alert!

MEXICO CITY (apro) – In the first half of 2025, the number of calls to the “Lifeline” hotline tripled compared to the total received in 2024. The most frequently addressed issues were addictions, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, according to the National Commission of Mental Health and Addictions (Conasama) of the Federal Health Secretariat (SSA).

On World Mental Health Day, celebrated on October 11, the head of the agency, Francisco José Gutiérrez Rodríguez, stated that the 54,000 calls handled in 2024 soared to over 184,000 in the first six months of 2025, marking a 340% increase. This rise was partially attributed to the increase in the number of operators on the line from 50 to 150.

According to the official, of this year’s calls to the “Lifeline” 800-911-2000, 84% were for requests for guidance and counseling, information, and emotional containment with psychological first aid.

The remaining 16%, according to an SSA press release, were referrals to various services including IMSS Bienestar (5.5%), Health Secretariat (2.8%), ISSSTE (1.3%), IMSS (1%), Women’s Secretariat (0.5%), to 9-1-1 (0.5%), among others.

Gutiérrez Rodríguez reminded that World Mental Health Day is commemorated to raise awareness about the challenges people face in accessing mental health services.

He highlighted that since its establishment in 2023, Conasama has adopted a “community care” model on the ground to bring services closer to homes, neighborhoods, and various sectors.

With this model, he emphasized that 12,000 mental health and addiction care services have been provided so far in 2025, as part of over 50 institutions participating in the “Attention to Causes” strategy for peacebuilding, led by the Ministry of Interior (Segob).

Mexico: 30% Suffer from Mental Health Issues

According to Commissioner Gutiérrez Rodríguez, there are about one billion people globally with a mental health condition that requires attention and treatment, while 800,000 people die by suicide each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In Mexico, he continued, approximately 30% of the population – that is, 3 out of every 10 people – have experienced some form of mental health issue, according to data from the National Institute of Psychiatry and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Furthermore, since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, anxiety and depression have been among the top reasons for seeking health services, followed by eating disorders.

Addressing Suicide

The head of Conasama, Francisco José Gutiérrez Rodríguez, highlighted the launch of a program to strengthen suicide prevention in Mexico, supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) over the next three years.

He explained that research is currently being conducted to develop a diagnosis of suicide in the country. Initially, the states of Chihuahua, Aguascalientes, Yucatán, Jalisco, and Tabasco were selected due to their high rates of this phenomenon.

He also mentioned that the Commission continues with the campaign “Add Color to Your Life,” which in its third phase promotes suicide prevention activities among the population, especially children and adolescents, through state mental health and addiction commissions.

In addition, it collaborates with the National System for the Protection of Children and Adolescents (SIPINNA) in conducting 22 workshops on the Utopia Ship, in the Iztapalapa borough, where minors learn about resilience, self-esteem, and emotional management.

Finally, the official reminded the public of some options available for mental health support:

• The “Lifeline”: 800-911-2000
• The Conasama website: gob.mx/conasama, which provides information on the 342 care centers available across the states.
• Psychiatric hospitals “Fray Bernardino Álvarez”, “Samuel Ramírez”, and “Juan N. Navarro”, the latter specifically for children.