Programme

Context, Systems Overview, and Co-Creation

The first day introduces participants to the Catalonian mental health ecosystem and the work of the Sant Joan de Déu Foundation and Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu. It sets the scene for the exchange programme and establishes a shared understanding of the systems, priorities, and approaches that will be explored throughout the visit.

The day opens with a welcome session and introduction to the EU-PROMENS programme, followed by a presentation on the structure and services of Fundació Sant Joan de Déu and Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu. Participants gain an overview of the regional Mental Health Plan in Catalonia and the broader policy and service framework guiding mental health care in the territory.

A guided visit to the UHEDI social and solidarity market offers insight into community-based initiatives that promote social inclusion, recovery, and well-being through local engagement and innovative social economy models.

The day concludes with the preparation and co-creation of the conclusive workshop, where participants begin shaping the themes, reflections, and collaborative outputs that will be developed and presented at the end of the programme. A group social dinner provides an opportunity for informal exchange and networking among participants.

Exploring Mental Health Care in Penitentiary Settings

The day’s programme focuses on mental health care for individuals in penitentiary settings, followed by knowledge integration and reflection on the experiences gathered over the first three days.

The day is dedicated to an in-depth look at the Penitentiary Psychiatric Hospitalization Unit of PSSJD, specifically the Brians 1 and Brians 2 facilities in Catalonia. These units provide acute, sub-acute, and intensive psychiatric rehabilitation services, catering to the mental health needs of incarcerated individuals. The session includes an overview of treatment approaches, early intervention, and ambulatory care services, with insights from psychiatric and nursing professionals working in the system.

The day concludes with an interactive Knowledge Integration Session, where participants reflect on key takeaways from the past three days. The session encourages knowledge-sharing and experience exchange, fostering deeper understanding and collaborative learning. A moderated discussion helps consolidate insights and align expectations for the following day’s activities.

Community Mental Health and Inclusion of Refugee and Migrant Populations

This day of the exchange programme focuses on community-based mental health support for refugee, migrant, and socially vulnerable populations in the region of Lleida. Through site visits, presentations, and direct exchanges with professionals and service users, participants explore integrated approaches that combine psychosocial care, community inclusion, and recovery-oriented support.

The day begins with an introduction to the Servei Terres de Lleida, offering an overview of regional services and strategies developed to respond to the mental health needs of displaced and vulnerable populations. This is followed by a presentation of the EQUIP GUÍA model, a community-based support approach designed to provide accessible, flexible, and person-centred mental health care in real-life settings.

Participants then engage in a guided visit and testimonial session, providing first-hand insight into programme implementation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the lived experiences of individuals supported by these services. These exchanges aim to deepen understanding of how mental health care can be embedded within community structures and adapted to complex social realities.

The afternoon continues with an interactive session where participants reflect on the practices observed, exchange perspectives from their own professional contexts, and identify transferable elements for supporting refugee and migrant mental health across different systems.

The day concludes with a cultural visit to La Seu Vella in Lleida, offering a moment for informal exchange and reflection while strengthening group cohesion within the exchange programme.

FLASH TALKS: Perinatal Mental Health, Psychogeriatrics, and Preventive Care

Day 4 of the exchange programme presents a series of flash talks and interactive sessions that explore innovative approaches in mental health care across the lifespan, with a focus on perinatal care, psychogeriatrics, early intervention, and preventive programs.

The morning sessions cover:

Perinatal Mental Health – Outpatient support and in-hospital care for mothers and babies, emphasizing acute symptom management and strengthening parent-baby relationships.

Transition from Child and Adolescent to Adult Mental Health Services – Strategies for ensuring continuity of care across age groups.

Psychogeriatrics – Mental health interventions for older adults.

PIPEP – Early-intervention programmes for psychotic episodes.

Konsultam+22 – Preventive and community-based mental health initiatives.

Primary Support Care – Core mental health support structures.

Suicide Prevention Program – Strategies and interventions to reduce suicide risk.

In the afternoon, participants learn about the ESMES/SATMI programmes, which provide specialised support for vulnerable populations including individuals experiencing homelessness and immigrants.

The day concludes with an interactive session for group selection for the second week of activities, allowing participants to reflect on the morning’s sessions, exchange perspectives, and align on focus areas for the upcoming days.

This day highlights multidisciplinary approaches, preventive care, and the integration of innovative mental health practices to address diverse needs.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health

This day of the exchange programme is dedicated to child and adolescent mental health, focusing on specialised interventions for children exposed to trauma, abuse, and other psychological challenges. 

• Presentation of SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital – Overview of its Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, led by a specialist in the field, highlighting research and innovative practices in psychiatric care for young patients.
• TEVI Programme Presentation – A support programme for children who have witnessed violence, providing a safe therapeutic environment for emotional healing and psychological recovery.
• Presentation of Child Protection – The ESTIM Programme – A multidisciplinary approach to treating abused children, with a focus on addressing suspected cases of child sexual abuse through collaboration between psychologists and paediatricians.
• Presentation of HENKA – A European Programme for Youth and Adolescents – An initiative supporting young people’s mental health through evidence-based interventions and research-driven strategies.

The afternoon includes a visit to HSJD (Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), providing participants with firsthand insights into paediatric mental health services.

The day concludes with a Knowledge Integration Session, where participants reflect on insights gained from the day’s sessions. Personal reflections are shared through brief presentations, and a programme checkpoint ensures alignment for the next day’s activities.

This day highlights the importance of early intervention, trauma-informed care, and multidisciplinary collaboration in addressing mental health challenges among children and adolescents.

Mental Health Care, Homelessness, and Social Support

Day 6 focuses on mental health and social support for vulnerable populations, exploring homelessness care, supported housing, and multidisciplinary services:

GROUP 1 – LA LLAVOR: Social Services for Homeless and Women (up to 12 participants)
Overview of SJD Social Services care model, with a focus on the Malla programme supporting women experiencing homelessness, including visits to facilities and practical insights.

GROUP 2 – Pisos Terapéutics: Supported Housing (up to 10 participants)
Presentation and visit to supported housing initiatives, exploring models of psychosocial and psychiatric support for individuals transitioning to independent living.

GROUP 3 – BARNAHUS Multidisciplinary Service (up to 10 participants)
Introduction to multidisciplinary care for children and adolescents, with an emphasis on protection, psychosocial support, and integrated therapeutic approaches.

This day highlights holistic and innovative interventions to support social inclusion, independent living, and the mental health of vulnerable groups.

Specialized Mental Health Care in Therapeutic and Judicial Settings

Day 7 focuses on mental health interventions for adults and adolescents with complex needs, including those in juvenile justice and intensive therapeutic settings:

GROUP 4 – Resistant Depression Unit (up to 4 participants)
In-depth exploration of resistant depression care, treatment approaches, and multidisciplinary support for patients with chronic mental health conditions.

GROUP 5 – Personalized Medicine and Intellectual Disability (up to 14 participants)
Sessions at UHEDI on visual immersive reality and Snoezelen therapy, combined with presentations from the RECUPERA’T Recovery Unit. Includes a focused AVATAR session on auditory verbal hallucinations.

GROUP 6 – Unitat de Til.lers, Justice Educational Juvenile Unit (up to 10 participants)
Intensive adolescent mental health care in a juvenile justice context, highlighting therapeutic approaches for rehabilitation and reintegration.

GROUP 7 – Peer-to-Peer Support at Sant Boi (up to 10 participants)
Focus on peer-led mental health recovery models, exploring collaborative strategies and lived-experience interventions to promote well-being and resilience.

This day highlights innovative, individualized, and peer-supported approaches across mental health care for diverse populations and challenging contexts.

Digital Mental Health, Reflection, and Closing

Day 8 is dedicated to digital innovation, reflection, and the formal closing of the programme:

Mental Health Platform – SOM 360
Presentation of a digital platform advancing national and international mental health services, exploring tools for accessibility and efficient care.

Spiritual Attention
Insights into the role of spiritual care in supporting mental well-being.

Interactive Session
Collaborative discussions and reflections guided by participants to consolidate learning and share perspectives.

Final Workshop: Rapporteurs Feedback
Participants collectively reflect on experiences, key takeaways, and outcomes from the exchange programme.

Certificate Ceremony
Closing of the programme with certificates and final remarks, celebrating participants’ engagement and achievements.

This day emphasizes integration of digital tools, reflective practice, and recognition of participant contributions in mental health care innovation.