SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 16th of May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Tenerife Island Council, in collaboration with the Department of Education for Prevention, is hosting a series of workshops focused on suicide prevention.
Scheduled for the 13th of June at the Aula Magna of the University of La Laguna (ULL), the event is set to welcome over 600 participants and is supported by the School of Health and Social Services of the Canary Islands (Essscan), the Directorate General of Mental Health and Addictions, the Ministry of Health of the Canary Islands Government, and the ULL.
The conferences were officially announced during a press briefing held on Thursday at the Noble Hall of the Tenerife Island Council, with the Minister of Education for Prevention, Juan Acosta; the director of Essscan, José Montelongo; and José Pereira, psychologist and head of the Mental Health Service, as key speakers.
Registration remains open until the 13th of June and can be completed via the following link: https://essscan.es/formacion/?id=5fd28d53-6b51-493f-b281-72a…
Juan Acosta highlighted that “mental health has become a focal point of concern for numerous individuals in recent years, given the rising cases affecting a broad spectrum of age groups.”
He further pointed out that “suicide, recognised as a mental health issue, has seen a significant surge in incidence across the population, marking it as a grave public health concern. Therefore, preventing suicides necessitates a cross-sectoral approach to tackle this multifaceted problem, considered a social priority that involves not only healthcare structures but all institutions and the general populace.
On the other hand, José Montelongo praised the organisation of the workshops aimed at enhancing training in alignment with the objectives of the School of Health and Social Services of the Canary Islands and the Mental Health Plan of the Canary Islands Health Service.
José Pereira emphasised the significance of the conference for the Canarian Health Service and the broader community.
“Based on the data available, there is an upward trajectory in cases, and the purpose of these sessions is to raise awareness, prevent suicidal behaviours, and educate professionals and the community,” he elaborated.
The sessions target health professionals in Mental Health, Public Health, Primary Care, and other specialised fields, alongside non-health professionals like managers and key individuals in areas such as Education, Social Rights, Minors, Youth, Employment, Housing, Justice, among others, as well as relevant associations.
