Summary.
The bill proposes adding provisions to Law 364 of 2023 to establish Specialized Mental Health Units for Children and Adolescents. Its purpose is to organize care for children and adolescents under the law that develops the human right to mental health and guarantees nationwide coverage.
Through the proposed addition of Article 8-A, the bill places the units within integrated health service networks. They would provide comprehensive, continuous and differentiated care to people under eighteen years of age who experience mental health problems or disorders, or risks related to mental health and psychosocial development. The State, through the Ministry of Health (ministerio de Salud), would promote their gradual establishment in every health region of the country. Regions with higher risk levels would receive priority, and the necessary interdisciplinary team would be ensured. The bill also allows agreements with educational and social institutions and local governments to extend the units’ coverage and geographic reach.
Proposed Article 8-B sets out the units’ functions. They would undertake early detection, assessment and clinical psychosocial diagnosis of mental and developmental disorders. They would provide interdisciplinary treatment through therapeutic, family and community interventions. They would also develop mental health prevention and promotion programs in coordination with schools and community centers. The proposed care therefore combines clinical activities with work involving families and the community settings in which the intended population lives.
The units would also coordinate with the competent institutions of the System of Guarantees and Comprehensive Protection of the Rights of Children and Adolescents (Sistema de Garantías y Protección Integral de los Derechos de la Niñez y la Adolescencia), in accordance with Law 285 of 2022. They would maintain records, indicators and reports on the mental health of children and adolescents while respecting confidentiality and personal data protection. The bill directs the State to allocate the budgetary resources needed to implement it, following the guidelines of Law 285 of 2022.
The text reiterates that Articles 8-A and 8-B are added to Law 364 of February 6, 2023. It assigns rulemaking to the Executive Branch and sets commencement at six months after promulgation. Its subject matter concerns the Ministry of Health, the Executive Branch, institutions in the child and adolescent protection system, and local governments. It could also affect health services, educational and social institutions, community centers, families, and children and adolescents.
What it proposes.
- Specialized mental health units for children and adolescents.
- Clinical and psychosocial care, prevention and mental health promotion.
- Institutional coordination, records and budgetary resources.
Who it would affect.
- Children and adolescents under eighteen years of age with mental health problems, disorders or risks related to mental health and psychosocial development.
- Integrated health service networks and specialized units.
- Educational and social institutions and local governments participating through agreements.
Key points.
- Proposes adding provisions to Law 364 of 2023 to establish specialized mental health units for children and adolescents.Art. 1
- Places the units within integrated health service networks and assigns them comprehensive, continuous and differentiated care for people under eighteen.Art. 2
- Provides for gradual establishment in every health region, prioritizing those with higher risk levels and ensuring interdisciplinary teams.Art. 2
- Allows agreements with educational and social institutions and local governments to extend geographic coverage.Art. 2
- Assigns the units detection, assessment, diagnosis, interdisciplinary treatment, and prevention and promotion programs.Art. 3
- Requires coordination with the child protection system and records and reports subject to confidentiality and personal data protection.Art. 3
- Provides for budgetary resources under the guidelines of Law 285 of 2022 and assigns rulemaking to the Executive Branch.Arts. 4-5
- Sets commencement at six months after promulgation.Art. 6