
It is crucial to break this stigma, to give visibility to this discrimination that goes against human rights and to create friendly work environments where people’s abilities can be enhanced, to promote their health and not their illness.
Rafael Carvajalpoet and actor (currently in Teatro de los Invisibles) involved in mental health activism in the first person, was the person in charge of introducing and livening up the event. He started the event by singing a rap and reviewing the nomenclature that refers to people with mental health problems, generating reflection in the audience present.
During the event, the president of the Madrid Mental Health Federation, Olga Real Najarrohighlighted the associative movement as a space for meeting, training, awareness and advocacy in mental health. He stressed that “The Federation and the Mental Health Associations are a space where we can think about mental health in a positive way, promote work without masks and remember that mental health concerns all people… we are a space where we focus on people’s abilities and not on stigmatizing labels.”. He also thanked the members of the juries of the three competitions for their selfless support and collaboration.
Later, the General Director of Care for People with Disabilities of the Community of Madrid intervened, Alejandra Serrano Fernandez, and the delegate of the Government Area of Social Policies, Family and Equality of the Madrid City Council, Jose Fernandez SanchezBoth explained the work they carry out in relation to mental health and showed their support for the work carried out by the Federation.
During the ceremony, the winning works in each category of this ninth edition were announced, from among the 169 participating works (95 short stories, 53 paintings and 21 photographs). The winners were applauded for their creativity, originality and the impact of their work in relation to the proposed theme.
The jury of the Painting competitionformed by Cristina Mato and Lorena Pizarrofrom the prestigious Ansorena art gallery, which has supported the UMASAM Awards since their inception, and Monica Parrapainter and graduate in Fine Arts, thanked the Federation of Mental Health Madrid for counting on them one more year to serve as a jury in this category, congratulated all the participants and highlighted the quality of the works presented.
The winning work of the first prize in the painting category was “Genealogy of flight and being«, in second place «Exhaustion” and thirdly “Depression”. The finalist works were “A normal day» and «Thought«.
As for the jury of the Short Story Contestcomposed by Mariano Hernandez MonsalveDoctor of Medicine and psychiatrist; Clara Aurora Deive Diaza graduate in Hispanic Studies from the University of Alcalá; and Rodrigo Martinez Puertawinner of the Short Story Contest of the VIII UMASAM Awards 2023, highlighted the quality of the 95 stories submitted and the arduous task of choosing the winners, who will be published, as every year, in a book.
The story that won the first prize was “Conciliation”, the second prize went to “Eight o’clock, Madrid, work”, and the third for “You don’t fit in here”. The finalist works were “Uniforms» and «Like linden«.
The last category presented was that of PhotographyThis year marks its fourth edition, in which the jury was made up of Ana ValiñoSpanish documentary photography and visual storyteller; Francisco Martin Tejedaprofessional photographer; and David Gonzalez de la Alejatravel and people photographer, visual artist through collages and promoter of art as a tool for rehabilitation, generation of autonomy and sustainability; who highlighted the quality, after evaluating both the work and the message and synopsis provided by the artists. On this occasion, Martín Tejeda was in charge of presenting the diplomas to the winners.
The winning photograph of the first prize of the contest was “24h attention«, in second place «To work!«, and the third «Which key is for diazepam?”. The finalist photographs were “Conciliation» and «How do we protect ourselves?«.
The gala featured emotional speeches and the display of the works participating in each category. The atmosphere was full of inspiration and recognition for all the participants, who, through their works, have contributed to raising awareness and reflecting on mental health at work.
The following were also present at the event: Carmen Martin Garcia-MatosDeputy Minister of Justice and Victims of the Community of Madrid; Oscar Alvarez LopezGeneral Director of Care for the Elderly and Dependency of the Community of Madrid; Incarnation Rivero FlowerDirector of the Madrid Agency for Support for Adults with Disabilities (AMAPAD); Consuelo Alfaro MorenoDirector General of Social Services and Disability Care, Department of Social Policies, Family and Equality, Madrid City Council; Agustina Crespo Valenciasocial worker at the Regional Office for the Coordination of Mental Health and Addictions of the Community of Madrid; Diego Figueramember of the Madrid Assembly for Más Madrid; Maria Case Escuderocouncillor of the Madrid City Council for the PSOE municipal group; among other authorities.
Before the end of the event, Rafael Carvajal (presenter) recited the poem “Locas”, full of messages of vindication that invited reflection on the treatment of the mental health community. After the awards ceremony, attendees were able to enjoy a snack provided courtesy of the Mental Health Federation of Madrid.
The Mental Health Federation of Madrid thanks the high participation in the IX UMASAM Awards, all the people who attended the event, as well as the juries for their dedication and commitment. They also express their gratitude «Thanks to the Arganzuela Municipal Council for providing the space of the Casa del Reloj Cultural Centre».
Once the physical exhibition is over, the Painting and Photography works will soon be available in a virtual exhibition through the Flickr platform, allowing more people to enjoy and reflect on them. The participating Short Stories will be published in a book that will be available online and in physical format.
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The IX UMASAM Awards are carried out thanks to the grant for the Promotion of Associations for 2024 from the General Directorate of Citizen Participation, of the Government Area of the Deputy Mayor, Spokesperson, Security and Emergencies, of the Madrid City Council.
MADRID MENTAL HEALTH FEDERATION – UMASAM
It is the Madrid Federation that brings together 16 associations of people with mental health problems and their families. It is part of the Confederation SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA and the CERMI – Community of Madrid. Its primary objective is the consolidation and development of the associative movement of relatives and people with mental health problems, to improve their quality of life, reduce stigma, defend their rights and interests, raise awareness and prevent mental health.