The suffering of young people is main theme of the 20th Spiritual and Religious Care Service Conference
Entitled “Young people seeking meaning”, this edition will address the contemporary suffering of youth with a special focus on mental health and how health professionals relate to it
The main purpose is to enhance and promote support which is more appropriate and respectful of young people's needs and sensitivities
The conference will take place on 10 December and registration is now open
Epidemiological data warn that the younger generations are suffering in a particularly alarming way from all the hallmarks of a troubled era fraught with change. This situation is leading to a steady decline in their mental health, which is becoming apparent at increasingly younger ages.
Based on the belief that there is a significant correlation between spirituality and health, the Spiritual and Religious Care Service (SAER) at Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu will devote its 20th annual conference to exploring from an interdisciplinary and holistic perspective the relationship between this suffering of young people and the way in which Western society relates to it. The goal is clear: enhancing and promoting support which is more appropriate and respectful of young people's needs and sensitivities.
The conference will take place on 10 December at the Dr Antoni Pujadas Auditorium (Sant Boi de Llobregat) and feature experts from various fields who will discuss the main topic in presentations and panel discussions, exploring ways to improve the support offered to younger generations.
Experts and young people discuss emotional suffering in a changing world
Sociologist Fernando Vidal will open the conference with a presentation entitled “A future that isn't really a future?” in which he will look at the current socio-political situation as a scenario which helps to heighten emotional distress among teenagers and young people. Ramon Maria Nogués, Francisco Villar, Albert Soler and Daniele Bruzzone, renowned experts in biological anthropology, the psychology of suicidal behaviour, symbolic narratology and meaning-oriented therapy, will also share their insights over the course of the conference. The meeting will wrap up with a panel discussion featuring teenagers and young adults who will talk about their personal stories and experiences. This final panel discussion will not be streamed or recorded.
In-person registration for the conference can be completed until 4 December via the following link. Online registration has no deadline and can be done at any time at this other link.
For more information, please see the details of the conference programme, in Catalan or Spanish.
