Mataró is commemorating World Mental Health Day, celebrated on 10 October, with a programme designed to raise awareness, combat stigma, and promote emotional well-being. This year, the city is adopting the theme proposed by the Mental Health Foundation of Catalonia: 'Weaving bonds is mental health', which emphasises the importance of personal relationships, community support, and collective commitment.
The programme has been initiated by Group Action 2 of the Mataró Mental Health Table (TSM) and is organised by various entities, services, and professionals from different fields. The activities aim to bring mental health closer to the community and create spaces for meeting, learning, and participation.
Central events on 16 October
The main events will take place on 16 October to encourage maximum participation. The day will begin with 'Let's talk about mental health – Let's ride a bike', from 10:00 to 12:00 at Plaça de Santa Anna, featuring routes from various neighbourhoods and secondary schools. Two tricycles, driven by volunteers from the Iluro Foundation, will facilitate open dialogue between individuals with personal experiences and community members.
Participating schools will receive educational materials from the organisation Obertament to help prepare reflections in the classroom. In the afternoon, from 18:00 to 19:40, the Espai Mataró Connecta will host the screening of the short film 'Votamos' and a round table discussion titled 'Our path', featuring individuals with personal experiences in mental health. This conversation will explore their experiences, challenges, opportunities within the community, and future perspectives. The event will conclude with the presentation of the Barbosa & Petit Foundation Award, recognising an individual with a distinguished career in the field of mental health.
At 19:40, participants will depart from Espai Mataró Connecta to the City Hall, where at 20:00, Laura Seijo Elvira, the councillor for Inclusive and Healthy City, will read a commemorative statement prepared by Group Action 2 of the TSM. The façade of the municipal building will be illuminated in green, the colour associated with mental health.
Additional activities throughout October and November
From 1 to 31 October, the Popular, Pompeu Fabra, and Antoni Comas libraries will host the Caregiver Libraries Space, showcasing readings and documentary resources on mental health. During library opening hours, visitors can find reading recommendations, stories, and digital tools focused on emotional well-being, emotional management, and community support.
Cafeteria La Xica, located at Carrer de Sant Cristòfor, 2, will feature an exhibition of paintings and drawings from the Tu Tries Social Club, running from 5 to 16 October. The exhibition will be open from 08:00 to 13:30 and from 17:00 to 21:00.
On 23 October, from 09:00 to 12:00, the Espai Mataró Connecta will host a session of the Childhood and Adolescence Table aimed at professionals and agents working with children and adolescents. This meeting will combine regular work of the Table with the presentation of the City Pact for Emotional Well-Being and Mental Health, along with a technical talk by SEER, providing tools and criteria for professional practice.
The programme will continue into November, with a workshop on 5 November from 09:30 to 12:30 at Espai Mataró Cuida – CareCityLab, located at Passeig de Marina, 144. This event, titled 'Caring for ourselves to care for others: fill your emotional toolbox', aims to recognise the work of caregivers and provide them with resources to enhance emotional well-being. It will include a conference, testimonials, the presentation of the Caregiver Challenge, and workshops.
The theatre will also play a role in the programme with the performance of 'Tarsius' on 13 November at 20:00 at the Monumental Theatre. The play addresses emotional suffering, loneliness, and suicide among young people through the stories of six young individuals with diverse life experiences. This will be followed by a discussion with Miquel Missé on 16 November at 18:00 at the Teatre Cafè Nou, as part of the OFF programme of the Participatory Generation cycle. This conversation will focus on the emotional challenges faced by youth, difficulties in seeking help, and the importance of supportive and understanding spaces.
Finally, on 22 November at 09:00, the 14th March for Mental Health will take place, starting from the promenade in the Callao area. There will be two simultaneous routes: a mountain route of 12 kilometres to the hermitage of Sant Martí de Mata and back, and a coastal route of approximately 8 kilometres along the promenade.
