(ANS – Buenos Aires) – The Salesians of the “Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá” Province of Southern Argentina (ARS) have presented the document Recognizing to Accompany Young People’s Mental Health, a guide designed to help educators—both in schools and in non-formal education settings—be a meaningful presence among young people and in their increasingly complex realities.

On the morning of Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the Schools Sector Animation team of the ARS Province coordinated an online discussion on mental health in schools, based on the document A Youth Ministry that Educates to Love, produced by the Salesian Congregation’s Youth Ministry Sector.

Presenting the Guide
The event included the official presentation of the guide Recognizing to Accompany Young People’s Mental Health. After the welcome from Mr. Augustín Camiletti, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, and the facilitation of Prof. Gabriela Gómez, Provincial Delegate for the Schools Sector, the document was presented by three professionals from Salesian works in ARS:

• María Susana Alfaro, psychologist and member of the school guidance team at the Salesian House “Don Bosco” in Ramos Mejía;
• María Belén Gorrochategui, psychologist and pastoral coordinator at the Salesian House “Juan Segundo Fernández” in San Isidro;
• Sergio Farina, psychologist and Vice Rector of the Salesian House “León XIII” in Palermo, Buenos Aires.

Listening and Presence as the Foundation
According to Dr. Alfaro, accompanying young people means “recognizing the signs that can help detect symptoms of distress. The key is to be among young people and listen to them.”

Dr. Gorrochategui noted that several recent studies, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, “have highlighted with greater force situations such as anxiety in adolescents and young people.” She added, “There is also the insufficient capacity of health centers to address mental health issues. Usually, a hospital deals with emergencies, but there is no time for follow-up care.”

For his part, Dr. Farina emphasized that “school is a privileged space. Being able to go through suffering together with others promotes healing; not only is peer interaction positive, but so is accompanying a young person who is suffering.” He also highlighted that “the Salesian charism, as the core of our schools, creates spaces to talk about certain issues and generates opportunities to open up those pains and anxieties, making it possible to accompany in a truly serious way.”

Sharing Strategies and Moving Forward
After a period of group work, the main virtual room hosted a sharing of strategies suggested by participating educators to help identify signs and better support the mental health of young people in Salesian settings.

In conclusion, and echoing Pope Francis’ words—“No one is saved alone”—participants underlined the importance of working with others, collaborating in teams, and engaging families. The digital meeting served as a reminder that each Salesian work is also called to challenge adult-world mindsets that reject or marginalize those who are different, as the Salesian school today must be able to engage with new realities.

The organizers stressed that beyond disseminating this new Youth Ministry document, it will be essential to support the processes of school guidance teams and teachers in moving toward a Salesian school that—politically, pedagogically, pastorally, and institutionally—can fully accompany children and youth in these new realities.