A beacon of hope from the community aims to illuminate the shadows of poor mental health in Tenerife. This is the essence of the Faro project, which merges educational efforts with medical initiatives to combat this growing issue, particularly among the youth of the Island.
The local and insular authorities, along with education and health sectors, have united to tackle mental health challenges. This initiative is targeted at individuals aged between 4 and 16 years and will initially be piloted with 80,000 health cards in the municipalities of San Miguel de Abona, Candelaria, and Santa Úrsula. The goal is to expand the programme to all 31 municipalities on the Island in the subsequent phase.
The Noble Hall of the Cabildo of Tenerife was the venue for the unveiling of a project that encapsulates all facets of mental health and the promotion of healthy lifestyle choices. Prior to the signing of the agreement and the involvement of the three municipalities, representatives including their mayors were present, along with Juan Acosta, the insular Minister of Education for Prevention, who is also the mayor of Santa Úrsula; Esther Monzón, the Minister of Health for the Government of the Canary Islands; and Rosa Dávila, the Cabildo president. They were accompanied by the mayors of Candelaria and San Miguel, Mari Brito and Arturo González.
The Project
Proyecto Faro was conceived in response to the escalating necessity for a comprehensive and sustained approach to address mental health issues and foster healthy lifestyle practices. It is structured to implement preventive initiatives and health education, alongside controlled, assessed, coordinated and scientifically validated interventions by a professional team, targeting diverse groups – including youngsters in educational settings, families, and even older adults across various social and healthcare contexts. This “innovative and extensive” initiative seeks to encourage mental health disorder prevention, endorse healthy habits and lifestyles, and enhance overall well-being on the Island.
Objectives
The project aims to mitigate the risks of mental health disorders through education and preventative strategies; encourage healthy lifestyles that contribute positively and sustainably to the community, and establish an evidence-based prevention model that leaves a lasting legacy. This initiative is supported by the Mental Health and Healthy Living Habits Driving Group of the Cabildo de Tenerife, which comprises professional associations, federations, ministries, general directorates, and management bodies.
Key Progress
Rosa Dávila remarked that “with the launch of the project, the signing of the agreement with the Canarian Health Service (SCS), and the participation of the inaugural municipalities in this initiative, we are taking a vital step regarding a matter of utmost importance for our community that ‘must cease to be a taboo: mental health prevention.’ She elaborated that “in a world moving at a frenetic pace, where stress, uncertainty, and social pressures have significantly risen, mental health has become a cornerstone of individual well-being.” Consequently, she concluded, “it is the collective responsibility of society to foster an environment where prioritising our mental health is as critical as caring for our physical health.”
Three Pillars
Juan Acosta explained that the project is built upon “three vital pillars: act, intervene, and refer, ensuring a comprehensive and effective approach within each community.” The preventive measures are primarily directed towards children and adolescents aged 6 to 14, their families, deemed “essential” for fostering a supportive emotional climate, and teachers, regarded as “key agents” in the nurturing and guidance of young people. Additionally, attention will also be given to the elderly, “a demographic that requires support and care.”
Coordination
Esther Monzón underscored the goal of synchronising efforts at both the island and local levels, aimed at promoting healthy living practices and the overall well-being of the community. She noted, “We will commence with a pilot project in the three municipalities, impacting over 80,000 individuals registered with health cards.” The councillor emphasised that “we are also achieving one of the objectives of the Mental Health Plan, which encompasses a line of intersectoral collaboration for the prevention of disorders.” She acknowledged the “remarkable work” carried out by the 700 professionals engaged in the regional Mental Health network.
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