The San Bartolomé City Council commemorates World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated this Friday, October 10, reinforcing its commitment to mental health care in the municipality's secondary schools.
Thus, the "Orientad@s" program kicks off in the secondary schools of San Bartolomé and Playa Honda, coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week. This is an innovative psychoeducational support project, focused on promoting the emotional well-being of students and preventing mental health problems.
The mayor of San Bartolomé, Isidro Pérez, stressed that "this proposal aims to promote the emotional well-being of our young people." According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "it is estimated that, worldwide, one in seven adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 (14.3%) suffers from some mental disorder." Faced with these figures, "it is crucial to invest in an education that not only provides knowledge but also takes care of the mental health of students," he concluded.
The program will begin with a series of dynamic psycho-talks, addressing everyday issues related to mental health from an approachable and participatory perspective. Additionally, a weekly session of individualized emotional support will be held, in which two psychology professionals will offer confidential care to students, responding to their concerns and emotional needs.
In this regard, the Councilor for Equality and Youth of the San Bartolomé City Council, Mónica de León, stated that "the commitment of our government team to our institutes is essential to create safe spaces, where young people can express what they feel and receive professional support when they need it. We will continue working along these lines, because mental health cannot continue to be an invisible issue."
"Orientad@s" was created with the aim of offering students practical tools and information to better understand themselves, express what they feel, and strengthen their mental health, contributing to a more conscious, empathetic, and resilient educational community.
Therefore, within the program, a new space will be enabled twice a week during recess, called the "Emotions Laboratory," a creative proposal designed as a safe meeting point where students can explore and strengthen their emotional well-being. Through activities related to emotion management, self-esteem, and personal relationships, personal development will be fostered in an environment of trust.
This tool will be guided by a psychologist and a pedagogue, guaranteeing specialized attention from an inclusive perspective that respects diversity.
Commemorative Event: World Mental Health Day
To conclude this commemorative day for World Mental Health Day, on Saturday, October 11, an event will be held at the San Bartolomé Theater, where the awareness-raising video clip "Black Sheep" will be presented.
Likewise, there will be a reading of the manifesto for this day, a reflection by the psychiatrist Julio Santiago, a reading of the story "In Your Gaze" by Lorena Curbelo, a musical performance by the group Invictores, and a musical closing by El Cribo Canta.
