To mark World Mental Health Day, Hestia Health Residencia Esquerdo held a range of activities throughout October focused on reflection, awareness and the promotion of emotional wellbeing, under the motto “Knowing Our Vulnerabilities Makes Us Stronger”.
Reflecting on experience: the Tree of Vulnerability
The centre’s service users took part in creating the Tree of Vulnerability, a collective activity that provided a space to share experiences, identify strengths and reflect on the personal resources that help people face everyday challenges.
A residence open to dialogue: a visit from Instituto Salesianos de Atocha
An open day was held with a visit from Social Integration students at Instituto Salesianos de Atocha. Service users guided the group around the facilities, explained how the mental health residence operates, presented the Tree of Vulnerability and actively joined a discussion on the importance of making mental health visible.
Action against stigma: caring for mental health
As part of the commitment to tackling stigma, two activities were launched with strong involvement from service users:
- The collective mural “Let’s Talk About What Goes Unspoken”, created through workshops reflecting on myths about mental health.
- An informative article, written entirely by service users for the forthcoming magazine La voz de Aluche ampliando mentes, focusing on how to care for mental health in everyday life.
Taking part in the March for Mental Health
Service users and professionals joined the March for Mental Health. It was an advocacy-focused, celebratory and highly motivating day, marked by mutual support, solidarity and shared enthusiasm with other organisations committed to visibility and inclusion.
Meeting with students from Instituto Pío Baroja
A meeting was held with Social Integration vocational students from Instituto Pío Baroja, who showed great involvement and interest. Verónica Bayón, a social integration practitioner, and Isabel Barrio, an occupational therapist, offered a professional perspective on the care and support we provide to our service users. David and Miguel Ángel, service users at the residence, also took part, sharing their first-hand experiences and creating a warm, enriching exchange with the group.
Through these initiatives, Hestia Health Residencia Esquerdo reaffirmed its commitment to mental health and social awareness, working towards more humane, inclusive care committed to tackling stigma.