Introduction. Suicide and self-harming behaviors represent a significant challenge to adolescent psychosocial well-being, being the fifth leading cause of death worldwide in people aged 10 - 19 years. In Mexico, the suicide rate among adolescents aged 15 - 19 years is increasing, highlighting the need for preventive interventions.
Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of the DBT-MXAU program, a cultural adaptation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills, in reducing suicide risk and strengthening emotional regulation in Mexican elementary school adolescents in urban settings with high social vulnerability.
Method. A multicenter quasi-experimental design with pre-treatment and post-treatment assessments in three states of Mexico. Participants were 60 adolescents aged 13-17 years (M = 15.23, SD = 1.59) who attended 11 two-hour weekly sessions of the DBT-MXAU program.
Results. Findings showed a significant reduction in low and moderate suicidal risk levels and improvements in emotional clarity and regulation. Adolescents with high suicide risk reported more use of DBT skills. However, the impact varied across regions.
Discussion and conclusion. This study supports the effectiveness of the DBT-MXAU program in reducing low and moderate-level suicidal risks and improving emotional skills in adolescents. The results contribute to the development of evidence-based preventive strategies for urban school contexts in Mexico.