As part of World Mental Health Day, the 2nd Conference on the dissemination and transfer of knowledge regarding the health and emotional wellbeing of adolescents and young people was held on 8 October in the Guadalquivir Room at IFEJA, as one of the activities organised by the PROMOBIENESTAR Chair. The opening address was delivered by Rubén Pérez, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Youth and Children, and María Dolores Ruiz, Councillor for Youth and Equality at the Provincial Council of Jaén. During their remarks, both officials emphasised the importance of early identification and prevention amongst at-risk or vulnerable groups, and underlined their institutions’ commitment to placing emotional health and wellbeing at the heart of policy-making.
This was followed by a presentation on the 2026 Study on Unwanted Loneliness and Mental Health, delivered by Matilde Fernández, Chair of the State Observatory on Unwanted Loneliness. The presentation included data on unwanted loneliness amongst young people and its impact on their health and emotional wellbeing, particularly that of young women and specific groups. Next, Antonio Lara, Youth Officer at Marmolejo Town Council, outlined actions and initiatives that youth professionals can carry out with young people at a local level to promote mental health and emotional wellbeing. Finally, the Director of Youth Projects at the Santa María La Real Foundation focused her presentation on youth programmes designed to foster critical digital citizenship in the fields of mental health and active digital wellbeing.
This awareness-raising and knowledge-sharing event was free of charge and open to the general public, families, young people, youth workers, health and education professionals, legislators and the wider community.
