Reflect on and delve deeper into how art, culture, and creativity act as a means of working with the community to promote mental health and emotional well-being.
Presentation
On November 13th and 14th, 2025, the eighth edition of the Catalan Congress of Mental Health. On this occasion, the Congress focused on Art, culture, and creativity as a working medium with the community for the promotion of mental health and emotional well-being, and also in treatment and recovery processes in the field of mental health care.
I considerr the need to value artistic expression, as a means that, with different languages, allows us to express, communicate, and transmit our deepest feelings. For years, public mental health services have incorporated activities related to art and creation into their intervention programs as a means to improve well-being. The development of visual arts, performing arts, literature, or music allows for communication and expression beyond what words can convey.
With this Congress, the value of artistic creation processes was asserted as an element of awareness for the improvement of recovery, socialization, and inclusion paths within the community of people experiencing emotional distress, and at the same time, it made possible a space for debate, exchange, and collective creation. Also taking into account the role of culture and art in social advocacy and transformation.
On this occasion, we build upon the work carried out in two previous workshops: the 1st Workshop on CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND MENTAL HEALTH, held in October 2023, and the 2nd Workshop on ART AND RECOVERY PROCESSES IN MENTAL HEALTH, held in December 2024.
In this 8th edition of the Congress, the The memorial was dedicated to victims in conflict zones. We will take the opportunity to hold an event to recognize all those organizations that are working through art as a medium and community space for the improvement of health and emotional well-being.
Both the Congress and all the events of the Cultural Program were framed within the context of the celebration of 25th Anniversary of the Foundation (2000-2025), To remember and celebrate 25 years of our organization's trajectory.
Objectives
These were the main objectives to boost the relationship between creativity and health, promoting spaces for exchange and new initiatives.
- Highlighting the relationship between culture and mental health.
- To foster a space for the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
- Promote the generation of new initiatives and projects.
- Awaken the creative potential of the attendees.
- Allow connection with reflection and self-care that favors the artistic process.
- Provide visibility to the group component necessary for developing art and creativity.
- Reflecting on art as a communal and horizontal space where mental health is interacted with.
- To foster the necessary relationship between artistic actors and those most directly involved with mental health.
- Evidence that artistic creation is an intrinsic component of health and well-being.
- Create a space for exchange and reflection on the use of artistic activity as a therapeutic tool.
Program
The Congress aimed, once again, to be a broad space for meeting, participation, and creation in itself, both during its preparatory phase and its celebration. The content, working groups, and consequently, the final Congress program, were defined through committee work, groups, and workshops prior to the Congress.
The challenge at this Congress was to create the conditions in time and in different spaces to enable creativity, experiential learning, and collective debate.
At this Congress, we primarily worked on two thematic axes:

Art, community, and health promotion
- Artistic creation and access to culture.
- Art and I work with the community.
- Art and social inclusion processes.

Arts, treatment, and recovery
- Arts as a therapeutic tool in mental health.
- Concrete experiences in adults and children/adolescents.
- Connection with public devices and programs.
Cultural Program
The 8th Catalan Congress on Mental Health has highlighted the existing interrelationship between mental health and culture through artistic expression. Individuals experiencing emotional difficulties or mental health problems can find genuine forms of expression that help channel their distress or suffering, which is then referred to as therapeutic effects. As in previous editions, the cultural dimension and artistic production from the first-person collective has been present at this Congress with the celebration of the 8th Xarxart Painting and Drawing Prize I love 2nd Xarxart Award for Narrative and Poetry.
Winning works of the 8th Xarxart Prize for Painting and Drawing

8th edition
First prize
«Sanghai»
Josep Duran “Urco”

8th edition
Second prize
«Màscara vermella»
Lidia Fané

8th edition
Third prize
«El chico contento en la piscina»
Javier Rodriguez
Special mentions

Special mentions
Special Mention
«Ressorgir d’entre les cendres»
Raquel Vidal

Special mentions
Special Mention
«La tortuga llorona»
Carles Cejuela
Cultural events held in the context of the Foundation's 25th anniversary celebration (2000-2025)
Theatrical performances

“What a toy, what a toy”
Thursday, November 13th at 6:30 PM in the CoMB Auditorium
Ideation and executive productionThe Other Festival
Direction and DramaturgyBerta Giraut
Stage movementFatima Campos
InterpretationCarolina Cañon, Jaime Fontoba, Jordi Martí, Malena, Montoya, Raúl Moreno, Samara Paulino.
In collaborationArep Association, Els Tres Turons Foundation, and Vidal i Barraquer Foundation
SynopsisIt's a serious and inexplicable staging, just like life itself, and like love. A journey hand-in-hand with six performers who face reality with a clarity we only glimpsed when we were children.

BITTI 82
Friday, November 14 at 7:15 PM at the Teatre de Sarrià
A Production of The Fuss of the Futile 2025 © + info
Synopsis:
I am Bitti; a small village in the Sardinian interior in the year '82 when Italy won the World Cup. When Michela and Luca arrive to take charge of the school and the medical clinic, they find a village divided by traditions, politics, and a past that goes back to '36 when Italy, led by Mussolini, was heading towards war. Two stories separated by half a century that speak of life, death, love, and, why not, football.
The day of the performance is scheduled reverse box office to raise funds for the theater company The Fuss of the Futile
Other cultural activities

Creart-Deir Al-Balah (Gaza) Art Installation
November 13 and 14 at the CoMB
This artistic installation reproduces the intervention that Creart carried out on the beach of Deir Al-Balah, in the Gaza Strip, in March 2022. Creart was commissioned to transform a gray and uninviting coastal space into a vibrant and welcoming place that would encourage families - especially those with children - to enjoy the beach again.
+ info

XARXART Painting and Drawing Exhibition
October 2026 (dates to be confirmed)
Exhibition of selected works at 8th Xarxart Prize for Painting and Drawing.
Poetry and Narrative XARXART
Publication of the award-winning works at 2nd XarxaArt Award for Poetry and Narrative

Memorial: To the victims in conflict zones
Hall of a Hundred – Barcelona City Hall
Within the framework of the Catalan Congress of Mental Health, we have always wanted to provide space for a Memorial. In some editions, it's to remember and pay tribute to individuals who have stood out in their careers and dedication in the field of mental health, and in others, we have wanted to highlight social events that profoundly impact our collective reality.
In this 8th edition, we decided to dedicate our Memorial to all the victims suffering the devastating consequences in conflict zones, due to war or other circumstances. A phenomenon that is always unnecessary and absolutely reprehensible.
This Memorial was a space for remembrance of the anonymous people whose lives were cut short by the violence and injustice of armed conflicts. Likewise, we want to highlight the work of organizations that work on the ground, using art as a transformative tool and as a community space to promote health and emotional well-being.
Committees and Rapporteurs
Documentation
Below you will find all the documentation collected during the 8th CCSM “Creativity, Culture and Mental Health” celebration: posters, communications, conferences, etc. You can search freely or filter by type and/or author.
| Title | Author | Institution | Types | hf:doc_tags | hf:document_author |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gesture variations | Jessica Palau | Casa Jove la Marina (Pere Claver Group) | Posters | posters | Jessica Palau |
| Art, Community, and Health Promotion (GT1) | Working Group 1 | Working Group Documents | Synthesis Documents | summary documents | workgroup-1 |
| Art therapy understood as accompaniment of the person in creation | Montserrat Rigol, Elena Carcelén, Ma Carmen Ruiz. | Table for November 14, 2025: “ART AND MENTAL HEALTH: EXPERIENCES IN CARE SETTINGS” – Adult Life Cycle | Debate Tables | debate tables | Montserrat Rigol Elena Carcelen Ma Carmen Ruiz |
| Aspects related to treatment and recovery | Working Group 2 | Working Group Documents | Synthesis Documents | summary documents | working-group-2 |
| Evaluate the emotional and cognitive benefits of a performing arts activities program in patients with Parkinson's disease | Marco Calabria and Alicia Gorina | Table of November 13, 2025: “ART AND HEALTH: EXPERIENCES AND RESOURCES OF CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS” | Debate Tables | debate tables | Marco Calabria & Alicia Gorina |
| Social Cartography: A Creative Evaluation Tool from a Community Perspective | Jenifer Gil, Monica Gongora, Jordi Rodriguez, Lilian Chacón and Ivet Merchán | Mútua de Terrassa Assistance Foundation | Communications | communications | Jenifer Gil Monica Gongora Jordi Rodriguez Lilian Chacon Ivet Merchan |
| Dance therapy in the support groups for victims of gender-based violence at the Barcelona City Council Social Services | Montserrat Iranzo | Table of November 13, 2025: “ART AND HEALTH: EXPERIENCES AND RESOURCES OF CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS” | Debate Tables | debate tables | Montserrat-Iranzo |
| Discoveries | Claudia Alba and Calra Peyro | CPB | Posters | posters | claudia-alba-i-calra-peyro |
| Teaching and Research in Art and Health | Salvador Simó | Closing Conference | Conferences | conferences | salvador-simo |
| Kicking Patterns: Sewing as a tool for community mental health recovery | Vanessa Prados, Ana-Bela Luis and Judith Balaguer | Sant Pau Health Campus | Posters | posters | Vanessa Prados, Ana Bela Luis, and Judith Balaguer |
| Efficacy of a Collaborative Meditation Workshop in Reducing Rescue Medication and Improving Emotional Self-Regulation in Patients with Personality Disorders | Eduard Molinet, Marisa Piqué, Patricia Casado and Karina Campoverde | LLúria Clinic | Communications | communications | Eduard Molinet, Marisa Pique, Patricia Casado i Karina Campoverde |
| Literary works in mental health nursing: The library and its clinical impact in application at USM (Mallorca) | Lurdes Alcalá and Maria A. Mesquida | USM / UIB | Communications | communications | Lurdes Alcala i Maria a Mesquida |
| The migratory grief of Colombian exiles in Spain | Mary Joseph Suelt | CSM Calella | Posters | posters | my-jose-loose |
| The Role of Creative Thinking in Improving Mental Health Nursing Care | Ainhoa Thomas | .. | Posters | posters | Ainhoa Tomas |
| The Role of Healthcare Social Work and Artistic Intervention: A Qualitative Look at Biopsychosocial Well-being | Laura Garcia and Laia Sancho | Parc Taulí CSMA | Posters | posters | laura-garcia-i-laia-sancho |
| Theater training as a strategy for improving executive functions in an SRC | Marc Garcés and Montse Galera | SRC Garnollers | Posters | posters | Marc Garcés and Montse Galera |
| Community work experience of the community rehabilitation service in cooperation with the Girona Art Museum | Marta Araque, Pilar Planas, Dolores Molina and Ma Fe Martín | Community Rehabilitation Service of Gironès-Pla de l’Estany | Posters | posters | Marta Araque Pilar Planas Dolores Molina Ma. Fe Martin |
| Art and Culture Experiences, paths of development for SM Community | Pilar Mariné Jové and Tina Ureña Hidalgo | Table for November 14, 2025: “ART AND MENTAL HEALTH: EXPERIENCES IN CARE SETTINGS” – Adult Life Cycle | Debate Tables | debate tables | Pilar Marine Jove and Tina Urena Hidalgo |
| Psychocorporal integration and therapeutic alliance. Intersubjective dialogue through the body | Iria Marcote | Table for November 14, 2025: «CO-CREATION IN THE CONTEXT OF COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES» | Debate Tables | debate tables | Iria-Marote |
| Psychocorporal integration and therapeutic alliance. Intersubjective dialogue through the body | Iria Marcote | Table of November 14, 2025: “CO-CREATION IN THE CONTEXT OF COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES” | Debate Tables | debate tables | Iria-Marote |
| Youth, art, and well-being | Blanca Gimeno and Lucía Pose | Table of November 14, 2025: “ART AND MENTAL HEALTH: EXPERIENCES IN CARE SETTINGS” – Child and Adolescent Life Cycle | Debate Tables | debate tables | Blanca Gimeno I Lucia Pose |
| The Creative Act as a Therapeutic Tool in Adolescents and Young Adults with Eating Disorders | Marta Aguasca | Table of November 14, 2025: “ART AND MENTAL HEALTH: EXPERIENCES IN CARE SETTINGS” – Child and Adolescent Life Cycle | Debate Tables | debate tables | marta-aguasca |
| Art as a Tool for Mental Health Recovery: Experience in a Community Rehabilitation Service | Sara Zorrilla | SRC Badalona | Communications | communications | sara-zorrilla |
| Art in the recovery process and artistic partnerships | Neus Vila | Table of November 14, 2025: “CO-CREATION IN THE CONTEXT OF COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES” | Debate Tables | debate tables | New town |
| The Real Therapeutic Effect | Carma Planes | .. | Posters | posters | karma planes |
| Creative experimentation in the service of community rehabilitation in Badalona: the artistic morning | Txell Puig | SRC Badalona | Posters | posters | Texell-Puig |
| Co-creation of reminiscence with AI in people with cognitive impairment | Francesc Garreta Gambús and David Prades | Table of November 14, 2025: “CO-CREATION IN THE CONTEXT OF COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES” | Debate Tables | debate tables | Francesc-Garreta-Gambus-and-David-Prades |
| ”La dansa s'apropa’ (Dance is Approaching) dance residency program for seniors in Barcelona, and Dance with Alzheimer's. | Susana Perez | Table of November 13, 2025: “ART AND HEALTH: EXPERIENCES AND RESOURCES OF CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS” | Debate Tables | debate tables | Susana Perez |
| The Gaze of the Other (LMDA): An Artistic Project for Inclusion and Community Transformation | Pedro Luis Gonzalez and Jose Madrid | PSI of PSSJD | Posters | posters | Pedro-Luis Gonzalez-I-Jose-Madrid |
| Participation in cultural and artistic activities: Determining factors and impact on people's health and well-being | Sergi Blancafort | Table of November 13, 2025: “ART AND HEALTH: EXPERIENCES AND RESOURCES OF CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS” | Debate Tables | debate tables | Sergi Blancafort |
| The musical gathering as a therapeutic setting for children with confusing anxieties | Maria Cerviño and Adrian Galati. | Table of November 14, 2025: “ART AND MENTAL HEALTH: EXPERIENCES IN CARE SETTINGS” – Child and Adolescent Life Cycle | Debate Tables | debate tables | Maria Cervino and Adrian Galati |
| The cow that will lay an egg: Theater as a community tool and mental health awareness | Anna Salvadó and Meritxell Grau | SRC Tàrrega | Communications | communications | Anna Salvado and Meritxell Grau |
| The Voice of Culture: The Role of Language in Building Mental Health | Lorena Riutort | .. | Communications | communications | lorena-riutort |
| Artistic and Cultural Activities in SRC Dreta Eixample: Perceived Benefits and Impact on Community Integration | Mercè Rovira, Susanna Llobet, Paula Osuna, Desiree Herrera and Jorge Mediavilla | CPB SRC Dreta Eixample | Posters | posters | merce rovira, susanna llobet, paula osuna, desiree herrera, and jorge mediavilla |
| Beyond the Pill: Art Therapy as a Treatment for Addiction | Sònia Usán Morales and Maria Sais | Table for November 14, 2025: “ART AND MENTAL HEALTH: EXPERIENCES IN CARE SETTINGS” – Adult Life Cycle | Debate Tables | debate tables | Sonia Usan Morales and Maria Sais |
| Empordà Museum. Fibromyalgia | Eduard Bech-Vila | Table of November 13, 2025: «Art and Health: Experiences and Resources of Cultural Institutions» | Debate Tables | debate tables | eduard-bech-vila |
| Music therapy, a group experience during hospitalization | Núria Escudé | Table for November 14, 2025: “ART AND MENTAL HEALTH: EXPERIENCES IN CARE SETTINGS” – Adult Life Cycle | Debate Tables | debate tables | Nuria Escudé |
| 2023 8th CCSM Program | |||||
| Activity program being carried out by the Catalan Public Health Agency with people with addictions | Ana I. Ibar | Table of November 13, 2025: “ART AND HEALTH: EXPERIENCES AND RESOURCES OF CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS” | Debate Tables | debate tables | ana-i-ibar |
| Comic Project | Meritxell Grau and Anna Salvadó | SRC Tàrrega | Posters | posters | Meritxell Grau and Anna Salvadó |
| Future projects and scenarios | Guillem d’Efak Fullana-Ferré | Table of November 13, 2025: “ART AND HEALTH: EXPERIENCES AND RESOURCES OF CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS” | Debate Tables | debate tables | Guillem Defak Fullana Ferré |
| When the wound is invisible: Therapeutic and creative support in a case of post-traumatic stress in a victim from a conflict zone | Maria Gonzalez and Núria Niubó, Aina Domenech | Infirmary Saint John of God Health Park | Communications | communications | Maria Gonzalez, Nuria Niubo, Aina Domenech |
| When Care Goes Beyond: A Community Project to Cover Basic Needs | Montserrat Palomar, Anna Urbea and Sonia Reig, Himalaya Vallejo, Montserrat Cullell, J. Antonio Cortés | Vic Health Consortium | Communications | communications | Montserrat Palomar, Anna Urbea i Sonia Reig, Himalaya Vallejo, Montserrat Cullell, J. Antonio Cortes |
| The role of artistic expression in mental health throughout the life cycle | Miguel Cardenas | Table of November 14, 2025: “ART AND MENTAL HEALTH: EXPERIENCES IN CARE SETTINGS” – Child and Adolescent Life Cycle | Debate Tables | debate tables | miguel-cardenas |
| Clinical simulation with therapeutic theater: A STEM learning and service project with mental health students and patients | Marta Ruíz, Marta Anguera, Isabel Egea and Mónica Negredo, Rosa Martinez, Javier Polo | Hospital del Mar | Communications | communications | Marta Ruiz, Marta Anguera, Isabel Egea i Mònica Negredo, Rosa Martinez, Javier Polo |
| A Journey Towards Well-being: A Multicenter Pilot Project Between Museums and Primary Care Centers to Improve the Emotional Well-being of Individuals Diagnosed with Mild to Moderate Anxiety Through Art and Culture | Anna M. Paredes | Table of November 13, 2025: “ART AND HEALTH: EXPERIENCES AND RESOURCES OF CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS” | Debate Tables | debate tables | Anna M. Paredes |
Technical and Scientific Secretariat
Catalan Congress of Mental Health Foundation (FCCSM)
Aragó Street, 141-143, 4th floor
08015 Barcelona
Phone: 93 238 62 47
Email info@fccsm.net











