My name is Gloria Haro, I am from Jalisco, Mexico. When I was 41 years old, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessional traits, and a tendency to dysphoria. I am a survivor of car accidents, and excesses in alcohol and tobacco. In addition, I suffer from allergies, astigmatism and myopia.

I open my heart in this space so that you know what it is to live with a mental disorder and the difficulties that this implies in me and in the people around me, and to share my calls for change.

Visual Diary

21 January 2022

I was not stupid, I had a brain that works differently

I went to a private altruistic neuropsychologist for an ADHD test and it was POSITIVE like my son's! This added to also living with anxiety, obsessive traits and a tendency to dysphoria. I felt relieved to verify it, but anxious about paying for the treatment, a psychiatrist, psychological therapy, physical activity... and all for both of us. I am a single mother and there is no place in my city to receive this comprehensive support. I only have social security coverage (IMSS) and it does not cover all medications.

gloria_haro-photo_1.jpg

"The Angel who has taken care of me has had a lot of work".

Since I open my eyes the challenges begin, I only hope to return home with good, a successful day is a day without setbacks, a perfect day is a day without silly mistakes. I can't help but feel this way.

Visual Diary

21 January 2022

I feel alone with this

The cost of care for my condition and my son’s is beyond my means, as there is no coverage from IMSS. I need 40mg of Ritalin a day, as well as antidepressants and clonazepam, plus a psychiatric consultation that adds up to $2,780.00 peso ($135.75 USD) per month. This is not counting the cost of psychological care. For my son, his consultation, medication (atomoxetine) plus a psychologist, is $1,900.00 peso ($92.78 USD) per month. I continue to seek solutions to make our care more affordable.

gloria_haro-photo_2.jpg

People with mental health conditions often need three times as many tools to do a common task, in addition to the high cost of maintaining stable mental and physical health.

Visual Diary

21 January 2022

It's never too late to improve your quality of life

My family has a lot of experience when it comes to living with NCDs. My father lived with alcohol and tobacco addiction, and undiagnosed ADHD and schizophrenia. His brother supported him financially for his psychiatric treatment before he died as a result of distraction. My retired mother is living with depression, and thankfully is able to receive coverage for her medication through the IMSS. I wish mental health conditions were seen as normal, and quality medical and psychological services were available. However, there are prejudices, lack of interest and lack of information.

gloria_haro-photo_3.jpg

I am with my son and my father's brother, I gave him the repository "THE VOICE AND THE PROPOSAL OF THOSE WHO LIVE WITH ADHD and NCDs". He also suffers from memory loss, and was interested in seeking treatment and a diagnosis to improve his quality of life.

Visual Diary

21 January 2022

There's a lot to do and learn in Mexico

Through my lived experience and my participation as a spokesperson with México Salud Hable, I have learned that the most common challenges faced by people living with a mental disorder are the lack of timely diagnosis and specialized care. This makes it 2 to 3 times more likely that we will develop comorbidities and addictions, because they provide relief from our symptoms. Mental health services are currently expensive and few are available in Mexico. It is urgent to implement a comprehensive health system for the different needs without the costs being borne by those affected.

gloria_haro-photo_4.jpg

We are in the Federal Chamber of Deputies in the year 2020 in times of pandemic, federal deputies, members of the Mexico Saludhable Coalition, a young success case with ADHD, my son and I as spokespersons asking for help in visibility and care of the disorder in Mexico.

Visual Diary

21 January 2022

May my experience serve to help others

The experience of living with ADHD and other mental health conditions has greatly impacted me and those around me. It is critical to address gaps in mental health and NCD services as a whole.

I call on the government of Mexico to:

  • Increase social awareness campaigns around mental health conditions.
  • Establish a center specializing in multimodal mental health that includes medical, psychological, and pedagogical care, and education for parents.
  • Build capacity for the provision of diagnostic services, to ensure timely care.
  • Provide economic support packages for the families of people living with NCDs to ensure therapeutic compliance.
  • Implement UHC for the care of all NCDs and mental health conditions.
gloria_haro-photo_5.jpg

Nothing has been easy, representing a community having my own difficulties is a great challenge. I just hope to stay motivated and beat procrastination.

NCD Diaries


The experience of living with ADHD and other mental health conditions has greatly impacted me and those around me. It is critical to address gaps in mental health and NCD services as a whole, particularly when it comes to access and affordability of services in Mexico.

Gloria Haro, lived experience of neurological disorder, Mexico

About NCD DIARIES

The NCD Diaries use rich and immersive multimedia approaches to share lived experiences to drive change, using a public narrative framework.

Explore NCD diaries

Visual Diary iconBenjamin Olorunfemi

Benjamin Olorunfemi

Visual Diary iconNkiruka Okoro

Nkiruka Okoro

Visual Diary iconJotham Johnson

Jotham Johnson

Podcast Diary iconSnehal Nandagawli

Snehal Nandagawli

Written Diary iconMariana Gomez

Mariana Gomez

Written Diary iconKarmila Munadi

Karmila Munadi

Written Diary iconEvelyn Santos

Evelyn Santos

Written Diary iconGrace Achodo

Grace Achodo

Written Diary iconMaryanne Njuguna

Maryanne Njuguna

Written Diary iconJoselyne Simiyu

Joselyne Simiyu

Visual Diary iconAnita Sabidi

Anita Sabidi

Written Diary iconWendy Reaser

Wendy Reaser

Written Diary iconTakwe Boniface Njecko

Takwe Boniface Njecko

Written Diary iconChitrika De Mel

Chitrika De Mel

Written Diary iconJoseph Rukelibuga

Joseph Rukelibuga

Visual Diary iconLucía Feito Allonca

Lucia Feito Allonca

Written Diary iconBrenda Chitindi

Brenda Chitindi

Visual Diary iconNeema Mohamed

Neema Mohamed

Visual Diary iconOduor Kevin Otieno

Oduor Kevin

Written Diary iconAshla Rani MP

Ashla Rani MP

Visual Diary iconKatherine Berkoh

Katherine Berkoh

Visual Diary iconMirriam Wakanyi

Mirriam Wakanyi

Visual Diary iconAmber Huett-Garcia

Amber Huett-Garcia

Visual Diary iconMazeda Begum

Begum Mazeda

Visual Diary iconLinh Nguyen Ha

Linh Nguyen Ha

Podcast Diary iconOmar Abureesh

Omar Abu Reesh

Podcast Diary iconLiz  Owino

Liz Achieng Owino

Written Diary iconJohn Gikonyo

John Gikonyo

Written Diary iconSamuel Kumwanje

Samuel Kumwanje

Written Diary iconJean Marie Blaise Migabo

Jean Marie Migabo

Written Diary iconEdith Mukantwari

Edith Mukantwari

Written Diary iconAdjo Rose Lankou

Adjo Rose Lankou

Visual Diary iconGloria Haro

Gloria Haro

Visual Diary iconRohan Arora

Rohan Arora

Visual Diary iconRobert Onyango

Robert Onyango

Podcast Diary iconVijayalakshimy Silvathorai

Vijayalakshimy Silvathorai

Podcast Diary iconAllison Ibrahim

Allison Ibrahim

Podcast Diary iconSeema Bali

Seema Bali

Visual Diary iconSalome Agallo

Salome Agallo

Visual Diary iconAma Quainoo

Ama Quainoo

Visual Diary iconBetsy Rodriguez

Betsy Rodriguez

Visual Diary iconVivian Gyasi Sarfo

Vivian Gyasi Sarfo

Visual Diary iconLion Osarenkhoe Chima-Nwogwugwu

Lion Chima-Nwogwugwu

Written Diary iconShamim Talukder

Shamim Talukder

Written Diary iconJazz Sethi

Jazz Sethi

Written Diary iconMichael Donohoe

Michael Donohoe

Written Diary iconJaime Barba

Jaime Barba

Written Diary iconStephen Ogweno

Stephen Ogweno

The current theme is

My healthcare provider's impact on my NCD journey

View the Diaries