A game that makes room for mental health
For over 10 years, the Rehabilitation Services of Baix Llobregat, part of the Sant Joan de Déu Health Park , have organized sporting events in the municipalities of Viladecans, El Prat de Llobregat, and Cornellà de Llobregat. These events aim to promote sustained participation in sports over time, as they are merely a public showcase of an activity that takes place throughout the year. The fact that physical activity influences lifestyle changes and helps prevent physical health problems is well-established in numerous public health studies; this is especially relevant for individuals with mental health issues, contributing to their well-being, exercising their right as citizens, and providing a means of interaction with others, building social networks, and fostering community participation. In the early years, these events were international football tournaments featuring teams from Italy, France, the Basque Country, and Catalonia. Tournaments that then involved an invitation to other tournaments in these territories.
When students from the INS Josep Mestres school in Viladecans began participating in these events, the day was called "Let's Play/Place in Mental Health ." This play on words represents the objectives set for that day. To complement the sporting participation, a prior intervention is also carried out at the school, aiming to promote discussion about mental health, clarify doubts, and address prejudices surrounding the topic. This work is done through classroom interventions via the Educa SJD program, with talks by professionals and individuals with firsthand experience from the services of the Sant Joan de Déu Health Park.
The participation of different stakeholders that makes this event possible makes us all partners in this endeavor. On the one hand, we have the Mental Health Department of the Sant Joan de Déu Health Park, with the work carried out by the teams of the Community Rehabilitation Services in Cornellà and Viladecans, and the Josep Mestres Institute, with the involvement of both its educational team and the young participants. On the other hand, we have the support and funding of expenses from Sant Joan de Déu Solidarity , the support of the Viladecans City Council in providing the venues and backing the initiative, and the involvement of the entire team at the Atrium/Podium sports facilities in Viladecans.
Physical education as a tool for empathy and respect
After two editions cancelled due to the pandemic, this year a multi-sport tournament (basketball, football, badminton, and volleyball) was held with the usual collaboration of INS Josep Mestres de Viladecans and the Viladecans City Council. It was a participatory sports day, fostering collaboration with the young people of Viladecans who are enrolled in the secondary and high school programs at this institute.
Its objective is to bring young people and people with mental health problems closer together, in order to build bridges that reduce the stigma and self-perception of the stigma of mental health.
This collaboration fosters connections during play and breaks, changing young people's perceptions of mental health and strengthening intergenerational relationships . The organizational structure allows for the creation of playing teams without regard to gender, age, health status, or region. Each team is representative of everyone, and the driving force is having a good time playing sports. A league is organized, giving all teams the opportunity to try different sports and get to know each other through play. Therefore, the focus isn't on competition, but rather on having fun and collaborating while meeting new people with diverse backgrounds. Each team is distinguished by a different colored jersey, and membership is defined by that color, not by any other factor.
Every social event should also include breaks, so we also share breakfast and lunch, moments of connection that provide an opportunity for casual conversation about each other's lives. A common expression you might hear is: "They're just like us, we all have our share of challenges."
Since the beginning of this event in Viladecans, and also in those held in Cornellà, around 120 people have participated in each edition. This means that almost 1,000 different people have attended these events over the years. And we hope that number will increase every year. The participants include users of the Rehabilitation Services of Bajo and young people from the Josep Mestres High School, as well as people from other parts of Catalonia, Italy, and the Basque Country. Participating in the event means doing sports, but it also means participating in the organization of the entire event and supporting the athletes.
Benefits of sport in children and adolescents
The closing ceremony of this event is equally participatory, with representatives from the Sant Joan de Déu Health Park, the Viladecans City Council, and the Josep Mestres High School in attendance. Everyone takes home a very special memento: a certificate of participation and a winner's trophy for all participants, because here, everyone is a winner. In the first year of the event in Viladecans, volunteers from the Solidarity Action Program designed a medal that is a ceramic puzzle piece, each the color of the t-shirt, symbolizing something that unites us—we are all key pieces of the same group. This program, which involves people with mental health challenges, conducts workshops to raise funds for organizations with social objectives and a focus on improving the lives of vulnerable groups.
Sport provides physical and mental health to everyone, the relationship strengthens us and has facilitated understanding and respect for all conditions and realities.
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