The Madrid Mental Health Federation and its member organizations will come together for a march through downtown Madrid to mark World Mental Health Day 2022, with the goal of raising their voices and highlighting the importance of mental health care.
- At 6:00 p.m.
- Between Atocha and Plaza de Cibeles
- Under the slogan:“Give mental health a ‘like.’ For the right to grow up healthy.”
The network of organizations under Salud Mental España has endorsed the theme proposed by the World Federation for Mental Health, “Mental health and well-being for all as a global priority”; however, on this occasion, the focus has been on children, adolescents, and young people, given the alarming figures revealed in reports from international organizations such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
WHY ARE WE MARCHING?
The percentage of young people who report having experienced mental health problems very frequently has risen from 6.2% in 2017 to 15.9% in 2021.
Failing to address adolescents’ mental health issues has consequences that extend into adulthood, harm a person’s physical and mental health, and limit their ability to lead a fulfilling life.
There is an urgent need to increase the resources allocated to these groups, which should cover mental health prevention and promotion, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and continuity of care.
That’s why the march starting from the usual meeting point in Atocha is so important—to raise awareness of the work done by community organizations and to demand that mental health be recognized as a global priority!
Inés Roca
