Sònia Hernández, the Minister of Culture, opened the 'Cultural Assets for Mental Health: From Evidence to Action' conference at the Teatre Lliure in Gràcia, which brought together more than 150 professionals from cultural, health, and social sectors to share insights and experiences regarding the connection between culture and mental health.
Hernández stated, “We want culture to be prescribed in the future as physical activity is recommended today.” She argued for the inclusion of culture in the “prescription for the well-being of individuals.” She added, “It is proven that culture contributes to emotional well-being, helps combat isolation, and strengthens social cohesion.”
As part of the National Pact for Mental Health, the Department of Culture is promoting measures, pilot projects, and a grant line to incorporate and integrate culture into health promotion strategies. This initiative aims to advance towards a more preventive, transversal, and community-oriented model, recognising culture as a tool for the well-being of citizens.
Other participants in the conference included Laia Arnal, director of the National Pact for Mental Health; Xavier Fina, General Director of Cultural Rights, Creation, and Libraries; writer and editor Mar García Puig; and Guillem d'Efak Fullana, head of Community Action, Public Programs, and Communication at the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC).
Laia Arnal defended that culture is “an asset for health and a right for all individuals.” She highlighted that “access to culture and participation in cultural activities can help prevent emotional distress, aid recovery processes, and strengthen social ties, participation, and the sense of belonging to the community.”
Xavier Fina noted that the “great challenge” for the Department of Culture is to transform pilot projects linking culture and mental health into stable policies, fostering a shared perspective, resources, and alliances among different sectors.
The conference addressed the contribution of culture to emotional well-being and mental health, as well as the challenges and opportunities for incorporating this perspective into public policies. Various speakers underscored the need to deepen knowledge and policies connecting culture and mental health.
The first part of the conference featured Mar García Puig, who reflected on culture's ability to build meaning, community, and shared bonds, and Guillem d'Efak Fullana, who explored evidence positioning culture as a health asset and the challenges of integrating this perspective into public policies.
A round table titled “Cultural Rights and Mental Health: Evidence, Impacts, and Opportunities,” moderated by Xavier Fina, included Sergi Blancafort, a public health professor at UVic-UCC; Estela Díaz, head of Primary Care; Ignasi Pagès, a reference for Emotional and Community Well-being; and Roser Sanjuan, director of La Panera in Lleida. Participants shared evidence and experiences regarding the relationship between cultural participation and mental health.
The session “Facts, Not Words,” moderated by journalist Adam Martín, focused on concrete experiences exemplifying the impact of culture on emotional well-being. Irene Calvís presented the project 'From CAP to Liceu,' which enhances emotional well-being. Experiences of art and culture as pathways for developing community mental health were also shared.
The second round table, “When Culture Becomes a Health Asset: How Do We Transition from Projects to Ecosystems?” moderated by José Antonio Delgado, discussed the challenges and opportunities for establishing stable alliances among cultural, health, and community sectors.
Throughout the conference, the need to strengthen coordination among the fields of culture, health, education, and community action was emphasised to advance the prevention, promotion, and protection of mental health and emotional well-being for citizens.
The Government of the Generalitat, through the National Pact for Mental Health, is organising a series of conferences titled “Mental Health, A Shared Perspective.” From 28 October to 16 December, eight conferences will gather professionals from the sector, entities, administrations, and individuals with personal experiences in mental health to share knowledge and experiences across areas such as culture, sport, work, and community participation.
The Department of Culture promotes the initiative Eixart. Arts and Health, which explores the relationship between culture, mental health, and emotional well-being. This project connects primary care centres and visual arts centres to promote community health through artistic practice. Additionally, in the museum sector, the pilot project 'A Journey Towards Well-being' evaluates the impact of art and culture on individuals' emotional well-being, involving 12 museums and 10 health centres.
