According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), globally, one in seven young people aged 10-19 years suffers from a mental disorder. Depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. WHO also notes that mental health problems in youth can perpetuate into adulthood and future decent life chances. In addition, the Survey of Emotional Well-being of Students conducted by the National Youth Council of Catalonia (CNJ) concludes that nearly 14% of adolescents feel that no one cares about their emotional well-being. 

In our commitment to improve the emotional wellbeing of minors, we have expanded the project "Get trained for the emotional wellbeing of children, adolescents and young people" that we have been developing with Mental Health Catalonia since 2020 when the first "Mental Health Guides" were published. The aim is to train professionals from the educational, social or health fields (not specialised in mental health) to improve the accompaniment of children, adolescents and young people with emotional distress or with a mental health problem. 

This year, the "Support Guide. For the emotional well-being of adolescents and young people" has been published with recommendations for the promotion of emotional well-being and accompaniment. The guide contains five educational infographics based on the international programme "Psychological First Aid in Mental Health" with recommendations for action in mental health crisis situations in adolescents and young people (anxiety, substance abuse and suicidal ideation) and to promote self-care for professionals and family members. These infographics have been developed with the UTCCB-UAB. 

We are grateful for the involvement of the National Youth Council of Catalonia, which has reviewed and made contributions to all the contents, as well as APSAS (Association for Suicide Prevention and Survivor Care), in those specific contents that deal with suicidal ideation. 

Training course 

During 2024 and 2025, Probitas and SMC will run new editions of the training programme for non-specialist mental health professionals with content from the supporting guide. The course, with a duration of 22 hours, is offered online free of charge. Check here the calendar of next editions. 

Cristina Vico, Program Manager at Probitas and one of the authors of this guide states that "training is key to transformation. "Train yourself for the emotional wellbeing of children, adolescents and young people" provides tools not only to provide good accompaniment but also to promote the wellbeing of the child and the professional from a community perspective, working in and with the community".