The health emergency has highlighted the importance of looking after our mental health and that of our loved ones. We need to protect mental health with specific public policies and a budget, not just with words.

We need all administrations to take our mental health seriously, particularly those with powers in health and public healthcare, the Government of Catalonia and the Government of Spain.

Before the pandemic, Barcelona City Council adopted its Mental Health Plan 2016-2022, produced through a broad participatory process to improve the psychological well-being of local people. We were the first local council in the Spanish State to have a strategic framework on mental health.

Thanks to this, when the pandemic arrived, we were the first administration able to react with pioneering services. We launched a Shock Plan for Mental Health and one of the initiatives in the plan was the creation of Konsulta’m, a pioneering municipal service to handle emotional and psychological distress among young people and adults. The service is available in all city districts. Appointments are not required and the service is completely free, confidential and anonymous.

We have also been operating a Suicide Prevention Helpline since 2020, with the freephone number 900 925 555 available around the clock, every day of the year.

In July we launched the Xat Joves service, a free emotional and psychological support chat for young people, also available around the clock, every day of the year. The service is available on 679 333 363, using the WhatsApp instant messaging app.

There is still a lot of work to be done to prioritise mental health. For our part, we will keep working to reach as many people as possible who need it, through quality support programmes and policies which help reduce social and health inequalities and foster people’s mental health and well-being.