Since the inception of the Catalan Congress of Mental Health Foundation, we have strived to maintain a debate and stance (internally and externally) on various events that have occurred in our immediate surroundings or globally. We have sought to be consistent with a mindset that upholds respect for life, human rights, individual and collective freedoms, and democracy. Thus, in the early days, we spoke out about the effects of the Balkan War, said NO to the Iraq War, condemned the murders of women in Ciudad Juárez, and more recently, we have also expressed ourselves regarding the 2008 economic «crisis» or the migratory «crises,» denouncing situations that violate human rights.

Today in our country, and given the authoritarian and repressive response being given to the current political crisis, we believe it is necessary to support initiatives that promote values such as DEMOCRACY, RESPECT FOR PLURALISM, DIALOGUE, AND THE DEFENSE OF CIVIL RIGHTS. For these reasons, we support the following Manifesto:

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Space for Democracy and Coexistence

 VALUES AND GOALS

The entities, unions, and organizations of Catalan society that make up the Space for Democracy and Coexistence defend and share the following values:

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  1. We have the need to give a unified response in defense of Catalan institutions, fundamental rights, the right of the Catalan people to decide their political future, and democracy.…
  2. We express concern about the violation of fundamental rights and democratic freedoms, and the social polarization occurring in the country's current situation.
  3. We establish ourselves as a plural and unified space to defend the institutions of Catalonia and the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, and social cohesion.
  4. We consider that political problems must have a political, not repressive, response, and therefore we ask all Catalan, state, and European institutions to seek ways and spaces for dialogue and political negotiation.
  5. We call on Catalan society to respond peacefully and firmly in defense of our institutions, respect for the country's diversity, and fundamental rights, in favor of dialogue.
  6. We are committed to responding in a coordinated manner to any action that infringes upon fundamental rights and to working for coexistence, social cohesion, and dialogue. In light of these events, we do not rule out any peaceful form of mobilization and national response.

…

Barcelona, March 27, 2018

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>> Download the PDF manifesto

The Foundation also supports the musical, poetry, and dance event «Culture makes us free«organized by Lluïsos de Gràcia in support of the Catalan Association for Civil Rights (ACDC).

Mental health professionals will always advocate for dialogue in situations of conflict and for helping affected individuals and groups.