As millions of Mexican students headed back to class this week, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a new initiative aimed at safeguarding young people’s mental health. Dubbed “ABC de las Emociones” (“ABC of Emotions”), the program will be rolled out in secondary schools—the equivalent of US middle schools, serving students roughly ages 12 to 15.
The announcement came during the traditional back-to-school ceremony, a moment when Mexican officials typically outline priorities for the academic year. By focusing on emotional health specifically, the government is signaling growing concern over issues such as anxiety, stress, and bullying among adolescents, challenges that have drawn increased attention worldwide in recent years.
While details on the program’s curriculum and implementation timeline were not fully spelled out in the announcement, the initiative reflects a broader push to weave emotional and psychological support directly into the classroom experience, rather than treating it as separate from academic learning.
Mental health advocates have long argued that early intervention during adolescence—a critical period for emotional development—can help prevent more serious issues later in life. Sheinbaum’s administration appears to be positioning this program as part of that preventive approach.
To learn more about the program and how it fits into Mexico’s broader education policy, read the full story at La Jornada.
Image: JAXPORT, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).