Adolescent mental health at the center of the Science4Pandemics closing event

According to the "IV Youth Barometer 2023: Health and Well-being," conducted by the Fundación Mutua Madrileña and Fad Juventud, the pandemic has had a significant impact on how young people perceive their physical and mental health. Although some figures have improved throughout 2023, the situation remains concerning, as pre-pandemic levels have not yet been reached. The report indicates that 4 out of 10 Spanish young people frequently experience emotional distress.

Mental disorders mostly appear between the ages of 12 and 25. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 10% of children and adolescents suffer from some type of mental disorder, but they often do not seek help or receive adequate support. In fact, suicide is now the fourth leading cause of death among adolescents aged 15 to 19.

In this context, recommendations focus on raising awareness of this reality, breaking taboos, and eliminating stereotypes surrounding mental disorders. There is also a strong emphasis on the need for emotional and affective education from an early age, so that young people can identify symptoms in time and seek support. According to the WHO, the key to addressing this mental health crisis lies in prevention, strengthening protective factors during adolescence.

A Day to Promote Mental Health

The Patient Participation in Research Area of Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute organized a hybrid event on January 15 with the aim of raising awareness about mental disorders in adolescents and promoting tools to care for mental health during this critical stage. The event was part of the European Science4Pandemics project, funded by EIT Health and coordinated by Fundació de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu.

Science4Pandemics, developed between January 2022 and December 2024, has created an educational game that prepares adolescents for future pandemics, fostering decision-making, resource management, and knowledge about infectious diseases. This event served as the project's closing session, particularly highlighting the impact of the pandemic on young people's mental health.

With the participation of 360 students from 11 educational centers in Barcelona, Manresa, Tarragona, and Lleida, among others, the event was a success. Students from 3rd and 4th year of ESO, Baccalaureate, and Vocational Training programs participated both in person and online.

The event began with a welcome from Begonya Nafría, head of the Patient Participation in Research Area at Fundació de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, who presented the project's achievements. Next, Dr. Pere Millat, an internal medicine specialist at ISGlobal, shared research findings on vaccine hesitancy.

The second part focused on mental health. Dr. Montserrat Dolz, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and head of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Research Group, addressed situations affecting adolescent mental health, providing data on emotional distress and the need to reinforce protective factors during this crucial stage. To conclude, clinical psychologist Elena Flores, from the Adolescent Addictive Behaviors Unit at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, offered practical tools for mental health care and discussed the main disorders affecting young people.

Commitment to Young People's Well-being

This event marked another step forward in the fight against the stigma associated with mental disorders and in promoting emotional education. Prevention and awareness are key to ensuring adolescents' well-being and better preparing them for the future.

For more information about the project, visit https://science4pandemics.eu/.