“Experts Emphasize Importance of Emotional Well-being and Mental Health at Awards Gala”
Specialists in psychology, psychiatry, education, nutrition, and volunteering gathered at the “Recognitions for Excellence in Emotional Well-being 2024” to emphasize the significance of preventative measures and adequate attention to emotional well-being and mental health. The event, organized by the International University of La Rioja (UNIR), recognized professionals making significant contributions in the field of emotional well-being and mental health.
Noted psychiatrist and scientific communicator, Marian Rojas Estapé, emphasized the importance of understanding emotions in her speech at the UNIR Awards. She highlighted the significance of prevention and the usefulness of research in transferring knowledge to clinical and informative practices. Rojas also reflected on the hyperstimulated nature of society, which often leads to irritability and low tolerance for frustration.
Meanwhile, Tyler VanderWeele, a prominent figure at Harvard and the project director of the Human Flourishing Program, was recognized for his contributions to the promotion of emotional well-being and the integration of knowledge in various fields such as philosophy, social sciences, and humanities.
Addressing the growing concern for mental health in the youth population, the World Health Organization’s report on mental health in Spain revealed that 70% of mental disorders originate during childhood and adolescence.
The gala also saw reflections from Jose Antonio Luengo, the president and dean of the Official College of Psychology of Madrid, and Giuseppe Rusolillo, the president of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Both emphasized the need to address mental health issues affecting young people, including bullying and eating disorders.
Other professionals honored at the event included María Matos González de Careaga, the president and co-founder of the Horizontes Abiertos Foundation, and Dr. Octavio Corral Pazos de Provens, the dean of the UNIR Faculty of Health Sciences. Additionally, Rocío Gómez Juncal, the director of the Degree in Psychology at UNIR, received recognition for her outstanding contributions to the field.
Dr. Victor Vidal, a specialist in Occupational Medicine and health advisor at UNIR, stressed the need for preventative measures to address mental health issues, stating that depression and stress are serious public health concerns.
The gala, held at the Westin Palace in Madrid, was attended by various authorities and professionals from academic and health sectors, marking a significant moment in recognizing and addressing the challenges in emotional well-being and mental health.