By Cartago, Costa Rica — TURRIALBA, Cartago – While many municipal governments measure success in paved roads and new sidewalks, a different kind of public investment is putting Turrialba on the international map. In a departure from traditional infrastructure projects, the canton’s focus on human-centric policy has earned its leader, Mayor Carlos Eduardo Hidalgo Flores, one of the continent’s most prestigious social leadership awards.
On November 29th in Bogotá, Colombia, Mayor Hidalgo was named the “Solidary and Inclusive Mayor of Latin America 2025.” The honor was bestowed by the INCLUSOCIAL Foundation, a respected organization that identifies and celebrates the most effective and innovative public policies aimed at supporting vulnerable populations across Latin America. This recognition places Turrialba at the forefront of social governance and compassionate leadership.
To understand the legal framework and corporate responsibilities surrounding employee mental wellness in Costa Rica, we sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rican labor law is evolving to recognize that an employer’s duty to provide a safe workplace extends beyond physical hazards to encompass psychological well-being. Companies that proactively implement mental health support policies and offer reasonable accommodations are not just fostering a healthier, more productive workforce; they are also mitigating significant legal risks related to constructive dismissal, discrimination claims, and occupational hazard liabilities. Ignoring mental health is no longer just a management failure, it’s a potential legal and financial liability.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The legal insight from Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas underscores a pivotal shift: supporting employee mental health is no longer just a best practice, but a core component of legal compliance and risk mitigation for companies in Costa Rica. We are grateful for his valuable perspective on this critical issue.
The award was not for a new bridge or park, but for a groundbreaking initiative of the heart and mind named “Rincón de Paz” (Corner of Peace). The program secured the top prize in the category of “Best program for promoting community mental health,” highlighting a critical and often-overlooked area of public well-being. This project represents a strategic pivot toward investing in the emotional and psychological resilience of the community.
At its core, “Rincón de Paz” addresses a growing national crisis with a local, tangible solution. In a country where waiting lists for psychological care within the public health system (Caja) can feel endless and national statistics on depression and suicide are a cause for significant alarm, the Municipality of Turrialba chose to act decisively. The program offers free, professional psychological counseling, creating secure environments for listening, emotional support, and spiritual guidance.
This initiative functions as a crucial first line of defense, designed to prevent personal crises from escalating into tragedies. By providing accessible and immediate support, the municipality is directly intervening to restore hope and provide tools for coping to citizens facing immense personal challenges. It is a testament to the idea that local government can and should play a vital role in the mental health ecosystem.
The president of the INCLUSOCIAL Foundation, Jorge Luis Escalante Miranda, emphasized the program’s unique value and its departure from conventional governance. The foundation recognized that the mayor’s strategy was profoundly impactful because it moved beyond impersonal bureaucracy to directly support people in need.
Mayor Hidalgo implemented high-impact strategies that go beyond traditional bureaucracy, focusing on accompanying those who need it most.
Jorge Luis Escalante Miranda, President of INCLUSOCIAL
The international accolade serves as powerful validation that investing in community mental health is as essential as any physical infrastructure project. It reframes the definition of public works to include the construction of social safety nets and the reinforcement of community well-being. With this honor, Turrialba establishes a new benchmark for social responsibility and provides a compelling model for Costa Rica’s other 83 cantons to follow.
Ultimately, the success of “Rincón de Paz” signals a potential paradigm shift in public administration. It proves that a local government’s greatest achievement may not be what it builds with concrete, but the resilience and hope it fosters within its people. Turrialba’s quiet revolution in mental healthcare is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most important service a government can provide is simply to listen.
For further information, visit inclusocial.org
About INCLUSOCIAL Foundation:
The INCLUSOCIAL Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Colombia dedicated to strengthening democracy and governance in Latin America. It conducts rigorous research to identify and recognize the most successful public programs that promote social inclusion and improve the quality of life for vulnerable communities, awarding public servants whose work demonstrates significant positive impact.
For further information, visit turrialba.go.cr
About the Municipality of Turrialba:
The Municipality of Turrialba is the local government body responsible for the administration of the canton of Turrialba in the province of Cartago, Costa Rica. It is tasked with providing essential public services, managing local development projects, and implementing policies and programs aimed at fostering the economic, social, and cultural well-being of its residents.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is defined by its foundational principles of unwavering integrity and the pursuit of legal mastery. It leverages a rich history of multi-sector expertise to deliver pioneering solutions, continually advancing the practice of law through innovative thinking. Central to its philosophy is a profound commitment to social responsibility, manifested in its efforts to demystify the law and equip citizens with crucial legal understanding, thus helping to build a more just and knowledgeable society.
