UCAM brought together leading experts, professionals and representatives of institutions to address the issue of mental health in children and young people, in its '2nd Congress on Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Concerns, worries and mental health of young people in Spain'. The experts highlighted that the study's recommendations for tackling the problem of mental health in young people include promoting socio-emotional education from an early age, strengthening mental health services in educational centres, developing community strategies against loneliness and social disconnection, regulating access to online gaming and encouraging the responsible use of technology, as well as promoting longitudinal research on youth well-being.

The study 'Concerns, worries and mental health of young people in Spain', was presented at the event. It was prepared by the Atalaya Foundation with the aim of providing an up-to-date snapshot of the emotional and social state of young people aged between 15 and 29. The report is based on a representative sample of more than 2,000 young people living in Spain, with data collected between May and June 2024. Among its main findings, it highlights that 54% show symptoms of depression and 52% experience moderate or severe anxiety. In addition, 7.1% show some degree of risk of suicidal behaviour, with a higher incidence among women and young people aged 25-29.

The institutional inauguration was attended by María Dolores García Mascarell, UCAM President; Juan José Pedreño, Regional Minister of Health of the Region of Murcia; Alicia Santos Cuartero, General Director of the Atalaya Foundation and Corporate Director of the GINSO Association; Enrique Ayuso, President of HEFAME; Teresa Lajarín, President of the ONCE Territorial Council of Murcia and representative of CERMI Murcia; and Víctor Meseguer, Director of the UCAM International Chair of Social Responsibility.

Several round tables were held during the day. The opening session was attended by the psychologist Javier Urra, clinical director of Recurra Ginso, and the psychiatrist Celso Arango, head of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service at the Gregorio Marañón Hospital in Madrid. 

The event concluded with the presentation of commitments and recommendations by representatives of the Atalaya Foundation and the Ginso Association, as well as a closing round table with the participation of José Luis Mendoza García, Director of Institutional Relations at UCAM, and Enriqueta Fernández, Director of the HEFAME Foundation.
 

Collaboration agreement with the Atalaya Foundation

Within the framework of the Congress, María Dolores García, UCAM president, and Alicia Santos, general director of the Atalaya Foundation, signed an agreement through which both entities will work together on training, research and dissemination projects to promote healthy habits among children and young people.