University of Guadalajara Experts Offer Mental Health Guidance Amidst Regional Unrest
Following recent events in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (AMG) and other municipalities in Jalisco, health specialists from the University Center for Health Sciences (CUCS) of the University of Guadalajara (UdeG) have issued recommendations and advice for maintaining mental well-being among children and adults. The guidance addresses the common feelings of stress, anxiety, and panic that can arise during periods of violence, uncertainty, and insecurity.
Vulnerability of Children and Adolescents
Dr. Norma Alicia Ruvalcaba Romero, Director of the Division of Basic Disciplines for Health, highlighted the vulnerability of girls, boys, and adolescents due to their overexposure to social networks and technology. This exposure can lead to negative stimuli that directly impact their mental health.
“It is important that adults be a mediating agent between what is happening and how the boy or girl is feeling, precisely to mitigate the effect that this type of news can have on them. You don’t have to minimize the situation, but you do have to talk to them from their level of understanding, understand how they perceive the situation and go from there,” said Dr. Ruvalcaba Romero.
Recognizing Stress and Anxiety in Children
Dr. Ruvalcaba Romero recommends observing for changes in mood and routine to identify stress or anxiety in infants. These changes may include irritability, prolonged tiredness, insomnia, and alterations in eating habits (either eating highly little or overeating).
“It is vital that adults recognize that in these situations it is normal to experience fear and anguish, but we also have to glance at what other emotions are there in children, to be able to adequately manage them. It is vitally important that the adult becomes this safe space that is required so that they can mitigate this information and these feelings,” she added.
Recommendations for Supporting Children’s Mental Health
To avoid intrusive and harmful thoughts in childhood, the doctor suggested:
- Establishing an open channel of communication between adults and minors.
- Identifying what makes the person in their care feel safe (physical, emotional comfort, etc.).
- Maintaining basic routines (eating at the same time, doing household activities regularly).
- Engaging in recreational and family activities.
“We must let them know that together we are that safe space, and also that they are aware that there are other people who are addressing the same situation so that little by little we can restore calm. It is vital to also seize advantage of the circumstances of being at home to do recreational activities that promote social cohesion and rapprochement with our boys and girls,” she mentioned.
Steps to Combat Anxiety and Stress for Adults
Dr. Saúl Ramírez De Los Santos, Head of the Department of Basic Psychology of the CUCS, issued seven recommendations to reduce or avoid anxiety and stress:
- Retain our physical integrity safe.
- Practice breathing exercises, generating deep and prolonged exhalations and inhalations.
- Limit consumption of news and social networks, establishing time to stay informed without overexposing ourselves to violent content and only using official media.
- Maintain routine and everyday life: Respect meal, sleep and recreation schedules.
- Encourage good sleeping habits: Do not consume caffeine, alcohol or social networks at least one hour before bed.
- Avoid social isolation: Stay in communication with loved ones, family and friends, whether in person (with those with whom you share a home) or virtually.
- Do not make important decisions at this time and avoid staying sedated with alcohol or other drugs.
“This type of event has an enormous impact due to the fact that it generates risk or a threat to our physical security, since we observe acts of violence, generating alert and hypervigilance, also affecting our basic emotional regulation, our lifestyle, mood and behavior. It is necessary to know that these emotional and psychological reactions are completely normal, the situation is not, but our feeling is,” added Dr. De Los Santos.
Seeking Support
The CUCS makes its Facebook account available for emergencies or psychological queries. The population is also encouraged to call 075 (Jalisciense Institute of Mental Health and Addictions) for emotional discomfort, stress, anxiety, or psychological support.
Sincerely,
“Think and Work”
“40 Years of the Guadalajara International Book Fair”
Guadalajara, Jalisco, February 23, 2026
Text: Anashely Fernanda Elizondo Corres
Photography: Fernanda Velazquez | Edgar Campechano Espinoza | Abraham Arechiga
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