Dominican Community Calls for Greater Action on Mental Health

Madres Todo Terreno, a Dominican community organization led by Keidy Peña, is calling for mental health to become a greater public priority, arguing that emotional distress among mothers, teenagers and families requires sustained attention rather than being treated as a series of isolated incidents.

The appeal came at the conclusion of “Ponle Freno a la Ansiedad” (“Put the Brakes on Anxiety”), an event held during Mental Health Month that brought together young professionals from different fields to discuss prevention, guidance and emotional support.

Madres Todo Terreno Calls for Stronger Prevention Efforts

Peña, the organization’s chief executive, said families increasingly approach the community for help with situations involving anxiety, depression and other emotional difficulties. She expressed concern about what she described as insufficient public education and guidance on mental health.

“We are witnesses to this social tragedy because, as a community, we receive an increasing number of cases involving mothers, adolescents and families who need help,” Peña said.

She argued that changing social expectations have placed additional pressure on women, many of whom balance motherhood, relationships, employment and education while managing demanding family responsibilities.

Peña also raised concerns about postpartum depression, particularly among adolescent mothers. She cited a figure of 16,481 adolescent pregnancies recorded in the previous year, presenting it as an indication of the challenges facing young people and families. The figure was cited during the event and requires further verification against official statistics.

For the organization, mental health should be addressed as part of a broader social response that includes education, prevention and accessible support. Peña argued that unresolved emotional difficulties can contribute to family tensions and make everyday pressures harder to manage.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Anxiety

Psychologist Katherine Castro, an executive at Centro Punto de Equilibrio, encouraged families to recognize potential symptoms of anxiety and seek professional guidance rather than assuming the problem will disappear on its own.

Castro explained that anxiety can manifest in several ways, including excessive worry, irritability, insomnia, chest pressure, shortness of breath, repetitive thoughts, persistent fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Changes in appetite and episodes of intense fear without an apparent cause can also occur.

She warned that people may normalize these symptoms because of work demands, family responsibilities or the pace of daily life, overlooking signs that they need support.

Castro encouraged families to discuss emotional difficulties openly, listen without judgment and seek qualified help when symptoms persist or interfere with everyday activities. Prompt attention, she said, can make an important difference in how a person’s situation develops.

Personalized Support for Mothers and Families

Castro emphasized that mental health concerns vary from person to person, meaning that an approach that works for one individual may not be appropriate for another. She said careful assessment is important when determining what type of support or intervention may be needed.

Her message reinforced the event’s central theme: recognizing emotional distress early and responding appropriately can help individuals and families avoid allowing difficulties to escalate.

The seminar ended with a commitment to continue creating spaces for conversation, education and emotional support, particularly for mothers and families facing the pressures of contemporary life.

Madres Todo Terreno’s appeal places greater awareness, early intervention and access to professional guidance at the center of the mental health discussion in the Dominican Republic. As this issue continues to draw attention to family well-being and public health, readers can also follow Dominican news for broader coverage of developments and issues affecting the country. Its organizers called for a sustained response that brings families, professionals and public institutions into the conversation.