Original article: Valparaíso: Fase piloto de centro municipal de salud mental superó las 3 mil atenciones priorizando a niños, niñas y adolescentes
Over 3,000 consultations have been recorded by «Valpo Amanecer,» a municipal health initiative that has provided services to more than 1,500 individuals within just a few months, prioritizing children and adolescents.
This project, managed by the Valparaíso Municipal Corporation, aims to improve accessibility to mental health services in the coastal community and operates on a mixed care model.
On one hand, it offers free access through referrals from Cesfam and SAPU, while also providing services at fair prices, thereby expanding mental health coverage for the local population.
One notable outcome is the priority attention given to 500 children and adolescents, which accounts for around 30% of the total patients served. Among this group, 127 children aged 4 to 9 are already part of the specialized program «Pasmi Amanecer,» focused on early intervention in children’s mental health.
Mario Del Carpio, Secretary General of the Municipal Corporation, stated that «improving access to mental health care has been a priority assigned to us by Mayor Camila Nieto from day one. In less than a year of management, we have successfully launched the pilot phase of Valpo Amanecer, and we are very pleased with the results achieved in these first months.»
Del Carpio also emphasized that «the creation and implementation of Valpo Amanecer is crucial, as the data from the early months show us that access to mental health treatment and care could not wait any longer for our neighbors.»
Community Shares Positive Feedback
Local resident Katherine González has accessed services with her daughter at Valpo Amanecer and has expressed a positive assessment of the center: «It’s very nice, more welcoming because in the other center, the rooms and seats weren’t child-friendly, it felt like going to a doctor’s office, so yes, I liked it, because I attended the other one, and there’s a noticeable difference; it’s much cozier.»
«My daughter loves it here, she enjoys coming, and I think it’s because it’s more inviting and has books that make them play, they interact with the kids more, which wasn’t the case at the other center,» the resident added.
To access services at Valpo Amanecer, one can book an appointment online at redsaludpopular.cl or visit the Nautilus building at Blanco 1215, floor 10, office 1004.
Additionally, free care is available through referrals from the Cesfam facilities of Valparaíso.
El Ciudadano
