Argentina’s Senate Approves Mental Health Law Changes by 42–21

Argentina’s Senate approved an executive-sponsored proposal to change the national mental-health law by 42 votes to 21, according to the chamber’s October 30 account. The vote gave the measure first-chamber approval, rather than enacting it into law. Vice President and Senate President Victoria Villarruel chaired the session, which lasted more than 11 hours. The proposal principally addresses hospitalization procedures, the definition of certain and imminent risk to oneself or others, and psychiatrists’ role within interdisciplinary teams. Reporting senator Ivanna Arrascaeta, of La Libertad Avanza, called the existing law “outdated and insufficient.” She thanked specialists, patients’ relatives, social representatives and doctors who took part in committee consideration, and said provincial health ministers had contributed. Maximiliano Abad, of the Radical Civic Union, supported the proposal generally, saying committee changes had improved it and protected psychologists’ professional responsibilities. He nevertheless opposed Articles 23 and 24 over the continued existence of single-specialty psychiatric hospitals. Abad argued for community networks and hospitalization in general hospitals. Lucía Corpacci, of the Justicialist bloc, opposed changing the law and argued that funding and practical resources were needed to make the existing framework effective. She also challenged the assertion that provincial mental-health representatives had been consulted. The law under debate dates from 2010. Arrascaeta said the pandemic and the effects of digital environments on young people were among the changes since its passage that justified revising it.