The Almería campus has become the regional hub for teaching and innovation in specialized care. The forum, organized by the Spanish Association of Mental Health Nursing with the collaboration of the UAL, surpassed expectations with a resounding success in interest and participation. Under the theme 'The quality of nursing care: impact on people's well-being', knowledge was exchanged in assistance, management, teaching, and research.
Around 50 poster communications were received, reflecting the professionals' commitment to their work. The UAL's Vice-Rector for Health and Sports, Gabriel Aguilera, highlighted the importance of such events for students to gain firsthand knowledge of professionals' work and supplement their education. "For the University, holding this meeting here is an added value," he stated.
Carlos Aguilera, president of the Spanish Association of Mental Health Nursing, emphasized that the meeting's theme highlights the profession's pursuit of excellence. The event attracted over 250 registrations, including participants from outside the autonomous community of Andalusia, demonstrating the significant impact of these forums in socializing nursing knowledge.
The day featured a keynote speech by Montserrat García Sastre (University of Alcalá) on 'The value of trust in, and for, Mental Health Nurses'. Migration and cultural diversity were also addressed in a roundtable discussion with Nabil Sayed-Ahmat Beiruti and psycho-nurse José Manuel Martín (Hospital de Poniente in El Ejido).
Another roundtable analyzed the latest advances in care and community settings, covering key areas such as Brief Hospitalization for Adolescents, Home Hospitalization for individuals with mental health problems, and intensive collaborative work with patients and families after a first psychotic episode. The meeting concluded with the reading of conclusions, a closing ceremony, and the presentation of awards for the best scientific posters.
The event received strong institutional and intersectoral support from entities including the University of Almería, the Official College of Nursing of Almería, the Almería City Council, the Andalusian Council of Nursing Colleges, Cajamar Caja Rural, and the Torrecárdenas University Hospital.
