Mexico City Congress Addresses Youth Mental Health and ‘Incels’ Phenomenon
Mexico City, February 13, 2026 – The Mexico City Congress convened a significant “Incels and Youth Mental Health. Towards New Public Policies in Mexico City” forum on Friday, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the pressing issues affecting young people’s mental well-being.
Legislators, psychologists, academics, specialists, and members of civil society gathered at the “Benito Juárez” Auditorium to address the isolation experienced by this demographic, which has significantly impacted their mental health. Discussions highlighted economic, labor, and emotional precarity as negative factors contributing to issues like suicide, with a notable incidence among men.
Legislators Call for New Public Policies
During the forum, Morena party deputy Ana Luisa Buendía García emphasized the critical need to prevent frustration from escalating into hatred among young people due to a lack of alternatives and adequate support. Buendía García, who also chairs the Special Commission for Attention to Victims of the local Congress, stated that the Mexico City Congress would work on legislative initiatives to address the demands presented at the event.
“Today we can say that the ‘incels’ phenomenon and the mental health crisis are symptoms of a society that has left its young people in precariousness and isolation,” Buendía García underscored. She further noted that studies indicate this phenomenon is fueled by a lack of belonging and a crisis of masculine identity, asserting that Mexico City is striving to create a new narrative where youth have spaces of belonging, dignity, and hope.
Deputy Xóchitl Bravo Espinosa, also the coordinator of the Morena Parliamentary Group, acknowledged the immense challenge of addressing mental health for children, adolescents, and young people in Mexico City. She stressed the importance of legislation in this area, given its multifaceted nature.
“Access to mental health is expensive, and this city, which is a city of rights, must guarantee that the right to mental health is full,” Bravo Espinosa stated, adding, “That is the challenge, and that is why we want to legislate it.” She urged psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health experts to contribute to the construction of the capital’s Mental Health Law, emphasizing the fundamental importance of their opinions, particularly concerning the experiences of minors and youth.
Visibility and Education for Youth Well-being
Legislator Víctor Hugo Lobo Rodríguez added that a lack of awareness about the problems faced by youth should not lead to their minimization. “It is important to make them visible and legislate to improve the quality of life of young people, as well as link mental health with education,” Lobo Rodríguez pointed out.
Deputy Frida Jimena Guillén Ortiz, President of the Congress’s Youth Commission, recognized that legislative efforts have prioritized the well-being of this sector, specifically in mental health. The PAN party deputy highlighted the importance of ensuring access to psychological consultations for all citizens.
Throughout the forum, participants proposed the development of educational content with socialization dynamics that prioritize emotions and gender relations. They also suggested establishing collaborations with public and private universities to detect depressive behaviors and suicidal tendencies, always respecting the human rights of youth, and training educators while providing sufficient resources in this area.
This forum marks a significant step towards developing comprehensive public policies to support the mental health of young people in Mexico City, with a strong emphasis on legislative action and community collaboration.
Source: https://www.congresocdmx.gob.mx/comsoc-realiza-congreso-cdmx-foro-sobre-salud-mental-jovenes-e-incels-7065-1.html
