"At Psicoxarxa we provide access to psychological care to people in vulnerable situations"

As a self-employed clinical psychologist, every day is different because I work on various projects. I travel around the city and find time for myself to take a break. Our work is demanding, sometimes difficult due to the emotional involvement of caring for particularly vulnerable people, such as children, those without resources, or the elderly, but my years of professional experience allow me to maintain the necessary distance to give my best.

At Psicoxarxa Solidària, approximately one hundred psychology professionals from diverse backgrounds and with varied methodologies collaborate altruistically. All of us involved have at least five years of professional experience. As coordinator of the admissions and referrals team, I follow up on requests we receive from individuals who meet certain criteria for vulnerability or social exclusion. People can request services online or are referred to us through social service organizations. There is a significant need for psychological support among these vulnerable groups. When a case comes to me, we conduct an initial interview to determine if the criteria are met and decide on the best resource for that person. I explain more about this work in this video .

I'm going to La Masia de la Guineueta (Associació de Lleure) to moderate an Emotional Support Group, an initiative promoted by the Barcelona City Council in Nou Barris, as part of the mental health emergency plan to address the psychological suffering resulting from COVID-19. This is one of the most rewarding activities; I feel we've managed to give these people their own support network , a place where they feel heard and can share. We have a fairly stable group of people, mostly older women experiencing some form of grief . People who, with the pandemic, have lost loved ones, jobs, or other social connections, which impacts their quality of life.

At the Ferran Angulo Foundation, I spend my afternoons visiting children, teenagers, and adults, dedicating the necessary time to each individual. Since the pandemic, I've noticed a considerable increase in consultations; there's a lot of demand. Thanks to the organization's social program , we also visit young people with limited resources or those in foster care, helping them manage their emotional situation.

At the Catalan Association for Abused Children (ACIM), I collaborate on projects funded by the Barcelona City Council, such as campaigns to prevent child and adolescent abuse and the development of preventative and educational resources, for example, for professionals in the field of school sports and extracurricular activities. We also carry out participatory initiatives aimed at children in their natural environments, for example, promoting awareness of the help signal (through TikTok) that we should all know. It is essential to raise awareness among the population about identifying warning signs of abuse , understanding the internal protocols that must be implemented, and knowing how to act.