PAHO – UMECIT – CONAPRED Joint Forum: “The Link between Suicide, Alcohol Consumption and Other Drugs”

Last Friday, October 20, at the UMECIT headquarters in Panama, an important forum titled "Suicide and its Relationship with the Consumption of Alcohol and Other Drugs" was held. The central objective was to raise awareness in the academic community of the National Drug Network (RENADRO) about the complex connection between suicide and substance use, especially among young people and adolescents.

This outstanding event had the participation of notable experts, such as Lic. Jissell Maitin, Executive Secretary of CONAPRED, Dr. Ileana Brea, PAHO International Consultant, Dr. Nadja Irina Porcell, Coordinator of the National Drug Observatory in Panama, the Dr. Gressy Zuñiga, UMECIT liaison in the OPADRO academic chapter, and Dr. Teresa de Irving, UMECIT Extension Director.

Dr. José A. Nieto Rojas, rector of UMECIT, stressed the importance of implementing effective strategies to prevent suicide and drug use within the university community in his opening remarks.

The outstanding presentations included the renowned Panamanian psychiatrist, José Calderón Artiera, delving into the topic "Suicide and its Determinants", and Dr. Ileana Brea, who presented the suicide prevention guide for teachers provided by PAHO. From Mexico, Dr. Jorgue Villatoro and his UNAM research team presented crucial results from a study on the correlation between suicidal ideation and substance abuse in the student population.

They also presented a practical training guide for treating teachers in situations where students may be dealing with depression or drug use, providing tools to identify signs and address these problems effectively.

The forum achieved active participation from students and teachers, emphasizing the importance of education and awareness around these crucial issues in the academic community.