(ANS – Cuenca) – The Salesian Technical Educational Unit opened its doors to the Cuenca Council for the Protection of Rights for a meeting that brought together various educational institutions from the canton. During the event, a joint commitment was signed in support of the well-being and mental health of adolescents in Cuenca. The initiative is part of the “Mental Health and Well-Being” program, promoted by the Cuenca Cantonal Council for the Protection of Rights under the leadership of Sebastián Calderón, the organization’s Executive Secretary.

The goal of the program is to create spaces for listening to and supporting young people, promoting a culture of respect, emotional support, and the prevention of situations that may affect their overall development. The event was attended by local authorities and public figures who joined this collective effort. Among them was Nadia Mejía, who shared a message of solidarity with the students, reminding them that everyone faces their own struggles, especially during childhood and adolescence. The city’s mayor, Cristian Zamora, also attended, reiterating the council’s commitment to collaborating with educational institutions to protect young people’s rights.

During the day, more than a thousand teenagers took part in a session that allowed them to speak openly about their emotions, insecurities, and the challenges they face in daily life. Through interactive activities and motivational messages, students were reminded of a fundamental idea: each of them is valuable and whole, and their emotional well-being is a priority for the community. As part of the main event, representatives from various educational institutions in the canton signed commitments aimed at promoting safe, inclusive, and violence-free educational environments.

This agreement aims to strengthen prevention, support, and the promotion of mental health within educational communities. The meeting sent a clear message to the young people of Cuenca: talking about mental health also means defending rights. The city is thus demonstrating a collective commitment to listening to, supporting, and protecting young people—reminding them that they are not alone and that they can rely on a network of institutions and individuals willing to support them at every stage of their development.