Public middle and high schools will dedicate one hour per week to their students’ mental health starting this school year. The national strategy “The ABCs of Emotions” began this Monday, August 31, the first day of classes for the 2026–2027 school year, presented by the Presidency of the Republic and the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP). It applies throughout the country, including schools in Chiapas.
The strategy is aimed at adolescents between 14 and 18 years old. According to the SEP’s presentation at the presidential press conference, it will reach 1.8 million third-year middle school students and five million high school students. In Chiapas, the announcement came on the same day that 1,386,045 basic education students returned to classrooms, according to the state Secretariat of Education.
What is the ABCs of Emotions?
It is the National Strategy for Mental Health Care for Young People. Every week, third-year middle school groups and all high school students will have one hour dedicated to socio-emotional education. During this time, they will discuss emotions, coexistence, the use of social media, and signs indicating when to ask for help in time. The approach is preventive and community-based: it involves students, teachers, and families, not just the doctor’s office.
The SEP will distribute 16 million printed and digital guides for students, teachers, parents, and caregivers. The strategy also includes informational assemblies at schools, where young people will be able to express whether they are going through a difficult time and receive support, with referrals to the health sector when necessary.
How it works, component by component
| Component | How it operates |
|---|---|
| Weekly socio-emotional hour | Third-year middle school and all high school students, starting this school year |
| ABCs of Emotions guides | 16 million copies for students, teachers, and families |
| School assemblies | Spaces to talk, detect warning signs, and provide support |
| Referral and support | Health sector teams and Línea de la Vida (800 911 2000) |
Where to download the guides
The materials are free and available on the official abcdelasemociones.sep.gob.mx microsite. An internet connection is all that is needed to access them:
- Enter the SEP microsite.
- Choose the guide according to your role: student, teacher, or mother, father, or caregiver.
- Download the PDF at no cost and without registration.
Key facts
- Launch: Monday, August 31, 2026, with the 2026–2027 school year.
- Who it is for: Adolescents ages 14 to 18; third-year middle school and all high school students.
- National reach: 6.8 million students, according to figures presented by the SEP.
- Materials: 16 million free guides on the official microsite.
- Immediate support: Línea de la Vida, 800 911 2000, available 24 hours a day, year-round.
What is happening in Chiapas
The federal strategy adds to state efforts in this area. In August, the Chiapas Secretariat of Health established the Technical Committee for Suicide Prevention, a multidisciplinary group that will design care strategies with government agencies and social organizations. In Tapachula, local governments and schools had already promoted local campaigns such as “Feeling Is Also Learning” at High School 3.
This Monday, Chiapas schools also began the school year with 1.4 million students returning to classrooms, approximately 59,000 teachers, and 19,250 schools, according to the state agency. The weekly ABCs of Emotions hour will be incorporated into that schedule at middle and high schools as schools receive the guides and training.
If you or someone in your family needs emotional support now, Línea de la Vida (800 911 2000) offers free and confidential guidance 24 hours a day. The program’s guides can be accessed today through the SEP microsite; implementation at each school in Chiapas can be verified with the school administration and through the channels of the state Secretariat of Education.
Source: alertachiapas
