In the wake of a series of tragic incidents where at least seven children were killed by their own parents this August, Minister of Interior and Police Faride Raful has stated that the country has a significant “social debt” when it comes to mental health.
Just this Monday, 24 August, a young mother gave her three children, ages 11, 9 and 7 poisoned juice and then took her share. The father returned home to find his family dead.
Following a meeting with the Joint Task Force, which included President Luis Abinader and Public Health Minister Víctor Atallah, Raful addressed the issue, emphasizing that mental health had not been a priority for many years in the Dominican Republic. She stressed that while it is fundamentally a health issue, it has also become a matter of public safety, demanding a coordinated response to protect children and other vulnerable groups.
“Mental health stopped being a priority many years ago, and we are now resuming articulated initiatives because, although a health issue, it is a security issue,” Raful said.
The minister underscored the need for greater public investment in resources, technology, and specialized personnel to develop a more effective preventive approach. She argued that a lack of accessible and affordable mental health services has contributed to the recent tragedies.
“There is a great social debt in this country to create not only facilities but also larger centers where people have access to a level of gratuity or greater guarantee to be able to seek help,” Raful added.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
N Digital
26 August 2025