ICBHS Leaders Attend Global Mental Health Conference in Mexico
Imperial County Behavioral Health Services leaders joined an international conference to enhance substance use disorder treatment and care access.
The leaders of Imperial County Behavioral Health Services (ICBHS) recently took part in an important international conference focused on enhancing care quality and access to treatment for substance use disorders. The event took place from October 22 to 24 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
Collaboration Across Borders
Led by ICBHS Director Leticia Plancarte-Garcia, the team included Assistant Director Grabriela Jimenez and Deputy Director Jose Lepe. They shared insights into the progress ICBHS is making in expanding behavioral health services, particularly in the realm of substance use disorders.
During the conference, Jimenez and Lepe presented various facility enhancements in Imperial County aimed at improving services for both youth and adult populations. Plancarte-Garcia emphasized the significance of these discussions, noting that building international alliances is crucial for tackling substance use treatment challenges, especially in a diverse region like Imperial County.
Insights from Across Latin America
The International Congress on Mental Health, Addiction, and Counseling organized the conference, which gathered professionals and leaders from the U.S., Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Attendees exchanged experiences and aimed to enhance collaborations in the fields of mental health and addiction recovery.
Key topics discussed included emerging substances, residential care, human rights, and efforts to eliminate stigma surrounding treatment for substance use disorders. Plancarte-Garcia noted, "The conference showcased how different countries are uniting to improve the quality of care for individuals struggling with substance use disorders."
Highlighting ICBHS's Approach
The invitation to ICBHS highlighted the organization's leadership role in behavioral health along the California-Mexico border. The conference offered professionals a platform to strengthen communication and cooperation between institutions focused on behavioral health.
Lepe mentioned that representatives from Latin America showed a keen interest in learning about ICBHS's methods for delivering care, especially regarding substance use disorders in a cross-border context. They were particularly curious about the staffing and training processes involved and sought knowledge on the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) standards that ICBHS follows.
“Addiction knows no borders,
