Events highlight importance of social bonds

Today, Friday 9 October 2026, Reus held its institutional act for the World Mental Health Day at the Centre de Lectura, launching the city's eighth annual Mental Health Month under the slogan 'Dona'm la mà' (Give me a hand). The event emphasised the role of social ties and community support networks in promoting mental wellbeing, ahead of the official global observance on Saturday 10 October. The morning programme included the reading of a manifesto titled 'Teixir vincles és fer salut mental' (Weaving connections is making mental health), drafted by the Comitè en Primera Persona de Salut Mental Catalunya. The document states that unwanted loneliness should not be seen as an individual failure but as a condition influenced by social and economic factors. It calls for public policies ensuring dignified living conditions, accessible and high-quality healthcare and social services, and the right of individuals to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

Cultural and educational activities across the city

Attendees also saw the screening of 'Error 40', a film by the Fundació Tosquelles Salut Mental, the launch of the mental health magazine 'Estat d'Ànim' by the association of the same name, and a dance performance by students from the Institut Gabriel i Ferrater’s arts baccalaureate programme. Later, a roundtable discussion addressed suicide prevention resources, featuring health professionals, representatives from the Associació Catalana per a la Prevenció del Suïcidi and a mental health activist. The discussion highlighted the vital role of community organisations in creating mutual support groups, combating stigma and accompanying individuals and families.

We must share responsibility for mental health between administrations, services, organisations and society as a whole.

Month-long programme extends into November

The Mental Health Month programme, running throughout October and until 5 November, is coordinated by Reus City Council’s Social Services and Rights and Health and Sports departments, in collaboration with the Municipal Disability Council and various local mental health organisations. Upcoming events include the 11th edition of Psicurt, the Short Film Festival on Mental Health in Tarragona and Reus, family-friendly activities at municipal libraries, a session introducing Mutual Support Groups, and a seminar on genetics and mental health bringing together researchers and those with lived experience. The closing event on 5 November will focus on mental health and wellbeing in the journalism and communications sector. Co-organised by the Tarragona branch of the Col·legi de Periodistes de Catalunya and the City Council’s Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Guidance Service, the session will feature investigative journalist Mar Cabra and a panel of media and health professionals. Humour group Risses will perform. Registration for the event is available via the official city council portal. Full details of the programme are published on the Reus City Council website.

Primary sources: reus.cat, inscripcions.reus.cat. Reported by diaridetarragona.com, Institut Pere Mata SA, apdnoticies.com, tarragonadigital.com, Tarragona21, reusdigital.cat.