Benidorm is committed to the full social integration of the sick in the Mental Health Day

Benidorm apuesta por la integración social plena de los enfermos en el Día de la salud Mental

Social Welfare and AFEM intend to give greater visibility to relatives and patients

Benidorm has celebrated today the 'Mental Health Day', a day of awareness of the problems of people suffering from the disease and their families, which is celebrated worldwide under the auspices of the World Health Organization ( WHO). The Association of Relatives and Persons with Mental Illness of the Marina Baixa (AFEM), has been in charge of organizing the activities with the support of the City Council.

The mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez; the head of the area of Social Welfare, Angela Llorca; companions of the different groups of the corporation; the deputy of Welfare of the People of the Delegation of Alicante, Miguel Zaragoza; and members of AFEM, including its president, Mª Consolación Muro, have deployed a commemorative banner on the main balcony of the council building this afternoon, after which a release of balloons has taken place in the Plaza de Her Majesties the Kings of Spain.

After the symbolic act, a painting exhibition was inaugurated by the users of AFEM and then, already in the Assembly Hall of the City Council, Miguel Zaragoza has read a manifesto prepared by the committee for mental health in first person of the Mental Health Confederation of Spain. Next, the Mayor of Benidorm took the floor to thank the efforts made by the Social Welfare department of the Provincial Council and its responsible in favor of the people and affected families. Toni Pérez also congratulated AFEM on its twentieth anniversary: "20 years giving the call so that the barriers disappear," he stressed. Working for "the full integration of the sick in our society," people who acquire "visibility thanks to your work." Pérez has reiterated the support of the institution that represents "and all the people of Benidorm" to the work developed by AFEM and has encouraged them to continue "being an example of improvement" for all.

After the interventions has taken place a folkloric performance by the group Spain Brava. Finally, at 14.15 a supportive meal has taken place at the Cristal Park Hotel, which is provided by María Jesús and her Accordion.

AFEM is a non-profit association whose scope of action is Marina Baixa. It develops programs aimed at improving the quality of life of mentally ill people and their families. Its main objective is to reclaim the rights of the collective, to eliminate social stigma and to promote the social and labor inclusion of the sick.