The municipality of Bailén has commemorated World Mental Health Day, celebrated on October 10th, by publicly reading this year's proclamation and manifesto, themed «Make a match with your mental health». The event placed special emphasis on the emotional and psychosocial well-being of children, adolescents, and young people.
The mayor of Bailén, Luis Mariano Camacho, was responsible for reading the official proclamation, while representatives from APAEM Mental Health read the manifesto drafted by the Committee for Mental Health in the First Person and the State Network of Women of the Spanish Mental Health Confederation. During the event, it was highlighted that the mental health of young people is intrinsically linked to economic and social factors, precariousness, isolation, personal relationships, the digital environment, and future expectations.
In the proclamation, the mayor emphasized the need to join forces to improve the emotional and psychosocial well-being of young people and strengthen support networks. Luis Mariano Camacho stated that «making a match with our mental health means joining forces and working collectively to promote measures that improve the psychosocial and emotional well-being of young people». He also stressed the importance of prevention, early detection, and reinforcing resources and training for professionals working with the young population.
The manifesto read by APAEM focused on the living conditions faced by young people and their impact on mental health, advocating for a society that generates opportunities, connections, and participation spaces for dignified and autonomous life projects. It was emphasized that mental health cannot be addressed solely from an individual diagnosis but must also consider the social, economic, labor, housing, and community circumstances. Factors such as social isolation, precarious employment and housing, and the pressure of social expectations were identified as significant barriers.
The document also warned about cyberbullying and the need for safe, violence-free spaces for children and youth. A community response to mental health difficulties was called for, cautioning against the risk of addiction and the need to address the social causes of suffering. APAEM advocated for the voice and active participation of individuals with lived experience in mental health in the design of policies, arguing that listening to these experiences is crucial for building effective and inclusive responses.
The reading concluded with the idea that a diagnosis should not be an obstacle to a better life and that mental health should not define or limit a person's life project. The recovery of projects, relationships, and autonomy was advocated, along with the creation of a healthy, diverse, and inclusive environment that offers real hope and opportunities for young people. Normalizing language and conversation about mental health, as well as the call for «real changes» because «human dignity is not negotiable», were key points.
