Professionals from the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS) and the University of La Laguna (ULL) have developed a manual for the promotion of mental health, resilience and the prevention of suicidal behaviors aimed at socio-health professionals.
The manual was presented this Tuesday at the conference on this subject held at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication, in whose inauguration the Minister of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, Esther Monzón, and the Rector of the ULL, Francisco García, participated.
Monzón explained that this manual demonstrates the regional executive's "commitment" to the training of mediators, "recognizing their crucial role in the promotion of mental health and in the prevention of suicide".
The Ministry of Health invites the professionals involved to approach this manual "with an open mind and commitment, remembering that every step we take in the promotion of mental health and in the prevention of suicide is a step towards a healthier and more resilient society for all".
As the World Health Organization (WHO) points out, suicide is considered a major public health problem, which when it occurs means the loss of a life, leaving a deep mark on families, their environment and society as a whole.
"Every life lost is an irreparable loss, and every attempt is an urgent call to action by society and health professionals, so it is important to work on the development of new resources and programs and strengthen intersectoral collaboration to address early prevention and detection strategies," said the Minister.
The Ministry of Health states in a press release that mental health is "one of the main strategic lines" of this legislature and that the Mental Health Plan is currently being revised to adapt it to the new realities and needs of the population.
In addition, various care devices have been launched on several islands.
In Tenerife, there is a new community mental health unit in La Laguna, while in the University Hospital of the Canary Islands a new observation area has been set up for psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department, among other devices.
The Ministry of Health recalls that it maintains other resources active for the prevention of suicidal behavior, such as the 024 line, which is a national, free, confidential telephone line available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
This tool offers help to people with thoughts, ideations or risk of suicidal behavior, as well as to their families and friends.
Likewise, the SCS has the website stopsuicidiocanarias.com for the prevention of suicidal behavior, with basic self-help tips, what to do if you have suicidal thoughts, reasons to live, coping strategies for those affected and for their relatives both in the face of a suicidal risk and after an attempt, and the care resources that can be accessed, among other contents of interest.
