Text: Alberto Martín, Photography: Jesús de Miguel – Oct 11, 2024 10:40 CET
“We have to talk about your mental health”. With this direct message, the Central Student Delegation and the Delegation of Psychology and Speech Therapy Students have organized this October 10, World Mental Health Daya day at the Faculty of Dentistry of the UCM, which they have attended about 200 studentsand which he told, moderated by the vice-rector for Students, Fountain Rosewith the presence of psychologists and experts, such as teachers Noelia Morán and Andrés Pemauthe director of the UCM-Group 5 Chair against stigma, Manuel Munozand the representative of the ANAR Foundation Miguel Campos. The day also included a self care workshop taught by Psicall, and concluded, next to the Students building, with a concert by the singer Álvaro de Luna.
The day left a clear message: Self-care and daily collective care are the best tool to prevent serious mental health problems. “The first step is talk about itas you are doing here today,” Complutense psychologist and researcher Andrés Pemau told the students. “Today young people are capable of talking openly about psychopathologies, and that visibility is very importantalthough we still have a lot to work”, warns Professor Noelia Morán, from the Department of Personality, Evaluation and Clinical Psychology.
As Pemau and Morán agree, when talking about mental health It is not just about treating mental disorders, but about the need to have a “optimal psychological well-beingwhich allows us to face the everyday stressthe daily challenges those we face.” The best way to do this is through self careof self-observationto know When something goes wrong, analyze the causes and try to remedy it before it gets worse. And the same thing you do with yourself, try to also do it with those who are next to us: to be close, willing. “Almost always just say: I’m here, you need something”. There are many signs that may indicate that something is not right: sleep disorders dream or the appetitechanges of humorfall of performance academic…
Not reaching those who need it or, what is worse, Stigmatizing it can lead not only to aggravating situations, but also to fatal outcomes such as suicide.as he told in a very graphic way Manuel Munozdirector of the chair through which the UCM, in collaboration with Grupo 5, tries to fight against this rejection that many people suffer as a result of his, in this case, deteriorated mental health. Many times, indicated Muñoz, just treat it normally, without judging it, without leaving it asideto those who suffer from a mental health problem to avoid situations of no return.
The vice-rector of Students, Fountain Rosereported some of the data offered by a recent survey which, directed by Professor of Psychiatry Gabriel Rubiothe UCM has carried out in collaboration with the platform Campus inRecoveryin which they have 14,192 students participated. It follows that a 27.32% of students they declare having suffered severe anxiety; something more than 50%, stressand the 31.30%, depression. He 74% of women respondents say they have suffered some kind of anxietywhether mild, moderate or severe, while among the men the percentage falls to 55.65 %.
The survey also offers worrying data on substance use: a 88.34% declares having consumed alcohol; a 45.41%, tobacco; a 42.24%, cannabisand the 25.74%, tranquilizers. “The most positive data from the survey – pointed out the vice-rector – is that the 89.14% affirm that they have room for improvement in their psychological strengths”. And that’s where you have to work. As Andrés Pemau emphasized, the University is an optimal place and time to work on these self-care and social care mechanisms.since it coincides with a “moment of shock upon entering a different life stage.”
As reported by the vice-rector through her Student Observatorythe UCM has granted this year 6 projects focused on improving the mental health of its students, led by both teachers and students. Among other proposals, the effect of the theater – plus others artistic disciplines- and of the new technologiesin improving mental well-being. They will also form student guardians and facilitators of mental health to strengthen the community support and a pilot program will be implemented for increasing the well-being of doctoral studentsone of the groups with the highest risk of anxiety and depression.
Furthermore, the entire Complutense community has at its disposal both the University Psychology Clinic such as telephone service Psychal.
“We are not a weak society. We are a society that is finally paying attention to its mental health,” concluded Andrés Pemau.