What motivated the creation of this group?

The response to the need to create spaces for thinking, outside of the healthcare environments, where the voices of the people involved in the processes of health/illness/care are heard, through the proper recognition of the experience and the knowledge of the other.

What are the objectives?

To offer a framework that allows for reasoning, and to question the current system of mental health care in our territory, with the aim of improving the care processes and the care provided by all the actors involved (affected people, family members, and professionals). Considering the other person as an independent expert regardless of their role in the clinical field generates the exchange of different perspectives and experiences regarding psychological suffering, and new perspectives for working and creating health are achieved.

What do you propose for this new phase?

In this new phase, we are considering the possibility of opening up the space and creating a place where issues can be addressed based on the interests of the different communities in the community who may feel the need to be heard and to be able to express their opinion on issues related to health, but from a perspective of competitiveness and civic empowerment. In short, it is a proposal that is more open to citizen participation.

What profiles do the people in our group have? Do you think it could be enriching to expand the group with other profiles? Which ones?

The group is composed of people diagnosed with a mental disorder, family members of those affected, and various profiles of professionals from the network of mental health care (psychology, nursing, psychiatry, social work). In some of the editions we have had the presence of a resident from the area where the group activity took place, who, curious, has been present in some of the sessions. We see it as appropriate to increase the attendance of people interested in the way of working or in the subject matter from other fields (justice, education, etc.).

What actions do you take and how do you organize yourselves to achieve these goals? (Do you hold any type of meeting periodically?)

Over the course of time and editions, we have managed to secure new invitations for the final edition. We notify the invitation via email or phone call to the attendees, and together with them we take care of spreading the word to other interested colleagues. The Foundation’s website lists the proposal for the new edition of the group, with the dates, time, and location where it will be held.

Is participation open?

Participation is open. We only ask for a minimum commitment to attend the sessions of the current edition, in order to ensure stability in attendance at group sessions.

Why do you think this group is necessary? (for the Foundation and for society)

The fact of enabling a horizontality and de-hierarchy in the relationships between the participants is a fundamental strength that makes it innovative and different from any other that exists within the network of mental health care. As such, we would like to see this cell of thought replicated in other cells and more groups of thinkers in other civic centers.

How do you generate the spaces and environments necessary for the exercise of your activity?

We prioritize a careful welcome, both for the members of previous editions and for the new people who have joined, with the aim of establishing a climate of trust and respect towards the people and their opinions on the topics discussed. We try to work in a space that facilitates equal dialogue and the possibility of expressing critical viewpoints.

What treatment do you give to the issues you propose to “think” about? From what perspective do you approach them? (personal, social…)

The decision on the topic to be addressed in each edition is decided jointly on the proposal of the group members at the first session of the edition. Each thinker brings their personal and experiential perspective on the topic that is addressed in the group.

How do you think you can transfer the fruits of your group's work to society/institutions?

This is a topic that appears recurrently in the last sessions of each edition, being valued as an important section by its members. Conscious of the need to disseminate what has been worked on, and the appropriateness of sharing what we have done. We have contributed in some events organized by the Foundation in the form of workshops or round tables, the dynamics and/or format of the group, as well as some of its conclusions. We have participated in radio broadcasts where we have provided information about the group. We believe that being more active on the Foundation’s website can facilitate greater knowledge of the group and arouse the interest of others.