We analyzed gender and anxiety differences in middle school students facing a physical peer aggression situation. The participants were 1147 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years (male: n = 479; female: n = 668) who watched a 12 s animation representing the situation and filled out a questionnaire to analyze the legitimation of violent behaviors and anxiety levels. We registered their decisions to solve the situation using a categorical scale that included assertive, avoidant, aggressive, submissive, and supportive behaviors. Gender was not associated with the adolescent’s behaviors in facing a simulated peer aggression situation. However, male teenagers tended to perceive adults as sanctioners and neutrals; those who used the diffusion of responsibility and dehumanization to justify their behavior also showed a higher state of anxiety. Female teenagers who expected legitimation from their peers, presented higher anxiety as well. Educational interventions may use these results, helping adolescents to understand that their acts have substantial implications in the lives of others. It is essential to develop group interventions that modify how adolescents manage their conflicts and change gender stereotypes that significantly impact health. We highlight the need for linking families in educational programs facing the challenges of transforming the legitimization of violence in parental practices.

Despite growing recognition of mental health as a global priority, a critical knowledge gap persists regarding how workforce availability aligns with the burden of mental disorders across income levels. This perspective addresses that gap by comparing mental health workforce indicators and disease burden metrics from the World Health Organization and United Nations datasets, stratified by country income level. The findings reveal a striking misalignment: low- and lower-middle-income countries report the highest disability-adjusted life years due to depression, bipolar disorder, and suicide, yet possess the lowest density of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers per 100,000 population. Conversely, high-income countries demonstrate stronger alignment between disease burden and workforce capacity, supported by greater policy readiness and financial allocation. Importantly, this analysis identifies not only a quantitative shortfall in human resources but also a qualitative gap in policy implementation, including limited enforcement, weak integration into primary care systems, and insufficient accountability mechanisms. Even where national mental health plans exist, compliance and execution remain limited, particularly in low-income settings. These inequities compromise efforts toward universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 on mental well-being. These findings highlight urgent global priorities for mental health investment and system reform to close the persistent treatment gap and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. This evidence may guide investment decisions, inform global health diplomacy, and support policy reforms aimed at closing the persistent mental health treatment gap.

This study aimed to analyze gender, anxiety, and psychological inflexibility differences of high school students’ behaviors in a simulated situation of peer coercion into academic cheating. Method: A total of 1147 volunteer adolescents participated, (Men: N = 479; Mage = 16.3; Women: N = 668; Mage = 16.2). The participants saw 15 s animated online video presenting peer coercion into an academic cheating situation, including a questionnaire about their reactions to face the situation. They also answered the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for children and adolescents and the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth (AFQ-Y). Gender was associated with the behaviors facing the situation. Higher state anxiety and inflexibility were present in those participants that avoided aggressive behaviors facing the situation; on the other hand, trait anxiety was present in those who reacted aggressively. Finally, higher anxiety and inflexibility were associated with the used moral disengagement mechanisms, but also with peers’ perception as sanctioning or being against the participants’ decision. The most aggressive students were more flexible and less stressed than those who tried to solve assertively. Expectations about peers seem to be relevant to the decision-making facing moral dilemmas and peer victimization.

This study offers a unique perspective on the role of ancestral knowledge in sustainable river management and community resilience. Specifically, this study draws on (1) a systematic literature review using the PRISMA methodology and (2) a qualitative analysis of community surveys conducted with 39 women in Zambrano, Colombia, to examine the impact of ancestral knowledge on sustainability, peace promotion, and community development. The findings highlight that women’s traditional water management practices significantly contribute to environmental sustainability, conflict resolution, and social cohesion. Women play a central role in transmitting and applying ancestral water knowledge, yet they remain marginalized in decision-making processes, often facing barriers to participation in governance structures. Finally, these findings proposed strategies for integrating ancestral knowledge into sustainable resource management policies. This study underscores the urgent need for legal recognition, intercultural dialogue, gender-inclusive governance, and educational programs to ensure the transmission and adaptation of these practices in contemporary contexts. Integrating ancestral knowledge into water management policies is essential for strengthening gender equity, community resilience, and fostering governance models that harmoniously combine traditional and scientific approaches.

Global mental health has emerged as a critical area of concern in the 21st century, driven by the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders, the impact of globalization, and the growing recognition of mental health as a cornerstone of overall well-being. The World Health Organization estimates that one in four people will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue. Despite this, mental health remains underprioritized in many healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where resources are scarce and stigma persists. Current needs in global mental health include the integration of mental health services into primary care, the development of culturally sensitive interventions, and the training of healthcare professionals equipped to address these challenges. Promoting academic and scientific thinking among future healthcare professionals is a strategic approach to addressing these needs. By fostering a deep understanding of the social, cultural, and biological determinants of mental health, as well as the latest evidence-based practices, future professionals can be better prepared to design and implement innovative solutions. This approach not only enhances their ability to respond to the diverse and complex demands of global mental health but also encourages a proactive mindset toward research and policy development. Ultimately, investing in the academic and scientific training of healthcare professionals can lead to more effective mental health interventions, reduced disparities, and improved outcomes for populations worldwide, aligning with the contemporary needs of a rapidly evolving global landscape.

"There is no health without mental health. "-United for Global Mental Health-Global health, defined as a field of study, research, and practice aimed at addressing health challenges and human diseases that transcend national borders and create global social, political, and economic impacts, 1 represents one of the most critical academic and scientific priorities today. To monitor and measure the specific impact of these needs, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced strategies centered on defining global health indicators, documented in the Global Health Observatory 2 and the Global Observatory on Health Research and Development. 3 These indicators, categorized by geographic regions and country income levels, enable comparisons of disparities in health metrics and outcomes. 2,3 Global mental health issues, as outlined in World Mental Health Reports, 4 are considered critical determinants for addressing barriers to healthcare access, economic consequences, universal prevention and health promotion strategies, and the prevalence and burden of mental disorders with the highest global impact. Ensuring the protection and promotion of global mental health remains a fundamental objective in closing gaps in equity and advancing health outcomes worldwide.