Consulate teams up with Mexico university to offer distance counseling

In a pilot program between Mexico's Yuma consulate and a Mexican university, area residents of Mexican nationality will be able to receive psychological counseling on the Internet.

Professionals from National Autonomous University of Mexico, that nation's oldest and one of its most prestigious institutions of higher learning, will provide distance counseling in the project that the Mexican government is debuting in Yuma.

“We think that it will have good results,” said Manuel Cuen, spokesman for the Yuma consulate, “and there is a large demand for psychological attention among compatriots” from Mexico.

“We know that from the number of people that the Ventanilla de Salud to the organizations and programs where those services are offered,” said Cuen.

Ventanilla de Salud is a program of the Yuma consulate that provides referrals to area residents of Mexican citizenship who are seeking health services. Beginning Monday, the Ventanilla will register qualified people for the distance counseling.

Cuen said economic circumstances and long separations from loved ones in Mexico are factors that warrant counseling for immigrants living in the area.

Professionals from the Mexico City university, known by its Spanish acronym UNAM, will provide counseling in 60-minute sessions, he said.