The minister opened the conference, held at the Teatre Lliure de Gràcia, which gathered more than 150 professionals from the cultural, health, and social sectors to share knowledge, experiences, and reflections on the relationship between culture and mental health. The meeting is part of the cycle 'Mental Health, a Shared Vision', promoted by the National Pact for Mental Health.
Sònia Hernández argued that culture contributes to emotional well-being, helps combat isolation, and strengthens social cohesion, stating: 'We want culture to be prescribed in the future, just as physical activity is recommended today.' The Department of Culture is promoting innovative projects and a line of grants to integrate culture into health promotion strategies, aiming for a more preventive and community-based model.
Also participating in the conference were Laia Arnal, director of the National Pact for Mental Health; Xavier Fina, director general of Cultural Rights, Creation, and Libraries; writer Mar García Puig; and Guillem d'Efak Fullana, head of Community Action at MNAC, among others. Laia Arnal emphasized that culture is 'an asset for health and a right for all people,' while Xavier Fina highlighted the challenge of transforming pilot projects into stable policies.
The meeting addressed culture's contribution to emotional well-being and mental health, as well as the challenges of incorporating this perspective into public policies. The need to strengthen coordination between the cultural, health, education, and community action sectors was highlighted.
The 'Mental Health, a Shared Vision' conference cycle will run until December 16th, with eight meetings bringing together professionals and entities to share knowledge in areas such as culture, sports, and work. The Department of Culture also promotes initiatives like Eixart. Arts i Salut, projects in visual arts centers, and the 'Què diu que fan?' cycle to address social challenges through performing arts.
