Mental Health and Productivity: A Silent Challenge for Mexico’s Labor Market
Recent evidence suggests that the rise in suicides in Mexico does not follow a linear pattern with poverty, and this dissociation has major implications for the economy. While states with high levels of social deprivation like Chiapas and Guerrero report low suicide rates, states with greater industrial and urban dynamism, such as Chihuahua and Yucatán, report much higher rates. Beyond being a public health concern, this phenomenon points to the quality of work environments, the fabric of communities, and the economic cost of psychosocial risks in a labor market under pressure from urbanization, the gradual formalization of employment, and the advance of nearshoring.
According to data from INEGI, in 2023 there were 8,837 suicides, a rate of 6.8 per 100,000 inhabitants; the preliminary figure for 2024 is 6.9. The excess mortality among men is pronounced. The territorial contrast is notable: Chihuahua and Yucatán are among the highest rates, while Chiapas and Guerrero are among the lowest. This map does not mirror the poverty map, which reinforces the hypothesis that factors like social cohesion, sense of belonging, and support networks influence protection against isolation as much as, or more than, income—especially in large cities and industrial hubs.
For the economy, the key angle is the impact on productivity, absenteeism, turnover, and workplace accidents. The official standard regarding psychosocial risk factors (NOM-035) requires employers to identify and mitigate these risks, but enforcement is uneven, especially among micro and small businesses. In sectors under heavy operational pressure—manufacturing, logistics, and service industries that rely heavily on personnel—the cost of failing to manage workplace stress shows up as lower efficiency, unplanned stoppages, and higher risk premiums. In contrast, communities with strong social capital tend to have informal buffers that reduce tensions, even in contexts with limited income.
Insurance is another important factor. Business leaders have emphasized that most major medical insurance plans exclude mental health conditions, shifting the cost onto families and the public system. Business organizations like Canacintra have urged legislation to include mental health coverage and to strengthen prevention in workplaces, in coordination with the IMSS. At the same time, the Health Ministry has expanded community mental health and addiction services in several states, though demand continues to outpace capacity, especially in metropolitan areas.
The macroeconomic context adds further pressure. After three years of solid growth, activity has slowed in 2024, with inflation still above the central bank’s target, real wages rising, and financial conditions tight. The competition for talent in industrial corridors in the north and Bajío region, combined with supply chain relocation, raises the stakes for healthy work environments as part of the value proposition for retaining skilled staff. Investors with ESG criteria are increasingly scrutinizing the management of psychosocial risks as a key element of governance and operational continuity.
The public conversation often links well-being to income, but the data nuance this relationship: subjective well-being and social cohesion matter, and can coexist with economic stress. Even international studies have highlighted the role of extended families and prosocial practices in Mexico’s reported happiness, though they also note the limitations and trade-offs in material well-being. The policy challenge is twofold: to boost income and quality jobs while also reinforcing mental health capabilities in both primary care and workplaces.
In summary, the geography of suicide in Mexico reveals a market and policy failure: protection against psychosocial risk is not distributed by income level, but by social capital and work environment. Integrating mental health into insurance plans, effectively enforcing NOM-035, and more precisely measuring productivity costs could mean fewer accidents, lower turnover, and higher productivity. It is a silent, yet strategic, front for the country’s competitiveness.
