Marci Acuña: “We have allocated a grant of €300,000 to the Official College of Psychology of Las Palmas to train educational staff, advise the school community, and implement tailored prevention strategies for our young people.”
A Silent Social Emergency
Suicide among adolescents is a silent social emergency. In fact, data shows that there were over 300 suicides in 2023 among individuals aged 15 to 29 in Spain, making it the leading cause of death among the youth, surpassing traffic accidents.
Initiatives by the Cabildo of Lanzarote
In response to these alarming figures, the Cabildo of Lanzarote, through its Department of Social Welfare and Inclusion led by Marci Acuña, has launched a prevention and mental health promotion programme in compulsory secondary education centres, as well as in schools and sports clubs across the island. This initiative is in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity, and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, and the Official College of Psychology of Las Palmas.
World Suicide Prevention Day
On the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Cabildo has introduced a team of ten professional psychologists who are part of this programme. Their primary goal is to provide guidance on mental health promotion and prevention to teachers and young people.
“The mental health of our youth is at stake, and the Cabildo of Lanzarote is taking action to protect and strengthen our adolescents, focusing on prevention,” states Marci Acuña, the Councillor for Social Welfare and Inclusion. He elaborates that “thanks to this programme, with an investment of €300,000, all 23 secondary education centres in Lanzarote will benefit from training activities for teachers, prevention protocols, awareness resources, and specialised support to detect early signs of risk behaviour and take appropriate action, including referrals to specialised services when necessary.”
Identifying Warning Signs
Project coordinator and psychologist Paloma Quesada emphasised, “The key to this programme is equipping the educational and sporting community with practical tools to recognise warning signs, provide immediate support, and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.”
Through workshops and group activities, young people will enhance their skills to effectively regulate their emotions, make decisions that help them achieve their goals, and overcome life’s challenges.
In this context, Francisco Javier Sánchez, Dean of the Official College of Psychology of Las Palmas, remarked, “The implementation of this agreement underscores the necessity for institutions and professionals to work together to create safer and protective environments where our young people feel heard, understood, and supported.”
Support Line 024
The Cabildo has also released an institutional video for social media highlighting the importance of speaking, listening, and providing support. They remind the public of the free 024 helpline, available 24/7.
This helpline assists individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, ideations, or risk behaviours, along with their families and friends, primarily through emotional support provided by professionals. They also recommend contacting health services or referring callers to 112 in emergency situations.
