From time to time, in professional life and in that of institutions, it is good to look back in order to appreciate, from a distance, the path taken. It is from here that we are most likely to grasp well what the purposes and energies were that set us in motion, what we were seeking, and the complicities that arose at the time to make possible the birth of a major project. Thus, by remembering your twenty years of history, you can value all that you have achieved.
Si em permeteu, a títol personal, explicaré una «batalleta». Un record. L’any 1999 vaig poder assistir al primer Congrés Català de Salut Mental, on es va impulsar el naixement de la Fundació. Recordo, de forma bastant clara, la conferència de clausura de Benedetto Saraceno acompanyat per Valentín Barenblit. En aquell moment jo era una jove professional i recordo estar asseguda a l’Auditori Axa, érem quasi 600 professionals escoltant molt atentament aquell discurs, no només ple de paraules sàvies i reflexions interessants, sinó també de la passió i l’humor que ens van transmetre. Aquella va ser una bonica forma i potent de finalitzar el Congrés i iniciar la vostra tasca com a Fundació.
Regarding the relationship between FCCSM and ACPSM-AEN Catalonia, we can clearly state that there has been complicity from the beginning. This has likely been the case due to various factors:
One of them is, without a doubt, believing in the same community model of mental health. A perspective that leads us to see mental health as an essential value in people's lives and societies, values that must be protected and developed from a pluralistic perspective and from the standpoint of social and human rights.
A second key factor in the harmony between the two institutions has been the interdisciplinary vision of mental health, far from simplistic and reductionist views. This characteristic has been exclusive to our organizations, as other scientific societies in Catalonia consider this aspect less. Both institutions believe in the richness that emerges from the encounter and dialogue between different disciplines. In this way, we promote care for individuals and families with psychological and relational suffering, through interdisciplinary teams integrated into the community that respect the subjectivity and culture of each person.
We can still point to a third factor; it has to do with the fact that a considerable number of professionals participate in both institutions simultaneously.
Perhaps because of these coincidences, some professional might have asked: what are the differences between one entity and the other?
This strong connection from the beginning has facilitated the development of various meetings, conferences, and actions over the years:
19 years ago, in April 2001, the Platform for the Improvement of Mental Health was jointly created to advocate for quality care. The significant collective mobilization, which brought together 17 institutions, professional colleges, mental health groups, and user and professional associations, achieved a manifesto signed by 15,000 people, demanding that the Generalitat improve the economic allocation for the mental health of the Catalan population. A few years later, in 2014, as a consequence of the economic crisis and healthcare cuts, you were able to promote the Platform for the Defense of Public Mental Health Care in Catalonia. We thank you for this work.
Un altre fruit d’aquesta sintonia ha permès que des de 2005 s’hagi realitzat, conjuntament, 10 edicions de les jornades de «La Xarxa a Debat». Amb aquest títol ens hem trobat per reflexionar sobre temes tan importants com: el model comunitari en salut mental, la ideologia, teoria i política de l’anomenat «model català de salut mental», els mites i les realitats sobre la xarxa, els itineraris i els buits, l’evolució de les intervencions, els factors de protecció i de vulnerabilitat, la integració de la xarxa de salut mental i la d’addiccions, la pràctica assistencial i les condicions de l’exercici professional. I la nostra futura jornada sobre «La cura dels professionals i dels equips», prevista per maig de 2020 i, que per les circumstàncies actuals de la pandèmia del coronavirus hem hagut de desplaçar a l’octubre si la situació de salut pública ens ho permet.
Altres iniciatives comuns ens van portar a organitzar activitats docents, on s’aprofundia en temes com: el treball de les neurociències i la psicoanàlisi (Jornada de 2011) o la Jornada de «Violència i trauma psíquic d’origen social».
From the Board of ACPSM-AEN Catalonia, we recently held a meeting with the purpose of sharing what we are currently working on with the most dedication. These meetings have taken place in a good atmosphere, where ideas emerge quickly, information is shared, aspects are debated, and decisions are made. All of this is achieved simply and easily because we are united by ideals and a common journey, which has nurtured us with respect and mutual affection.
For all of this and for all that you contribute to the improvement of mental health in Catalonia, we are sincerely happy for your twentieth anniversary and we wish you many more successes.
A big hug!!
Berna Villarreal Castaño
President of ACPSM-AEN Catalonia
Board MembersJosé López-Santín, Ferran Molins, Gemma Segura, Patricia Álvaro, Lia Litvan, Jesús López, María Romeu, Sònia Soriano, Jorge Tió.
April 30, 2020