On the eve of World Mental Health Day, commemorated on October 10, the headquarters of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Unit (Prosalud) in Camagüey became the stage for an initiative that demonstrates the power of intersectoral collaboration.
With the hopeful motto "With cross-sector participation, together we can provide a little bit of joy, shared hugs, and lots and lots of love," several local institutions joined forces to launch a day dedicated to the emotional well-being of the community.
The event brought together specialists from the Finlay House Museum, the Music Center, the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER), and the health sector itself. This convergence of knowledge, encompassing history and culture, physical activity, and medicine, enriches the understanding of mental health as a state of comprehensive well-being that is built collectively and on multiple fronts.
The event stood out for its creativity and talent, beyond the availability of material resources, and was sustained by human will and warmth. The premise was simple and profound: to create spaces for encounter where dialogue and art intertwine to offer participants a moment of relaxation, connection, and mutual recognition.
Ana Isabel Abay Márquez, M.Sc., head of Prosalud at the Provincial Center for Hygiene and Microbiology, emphasized that "beyond the scheduled activities, the true heart of the day was the message that mental health is strengthened by community ties, shared hugs, and lots and lots of love. These aren't just words, but concrete actions that combat isolation and stigma."
She noted that this proposal reaffirms that emotional care is a social responsibility fueled by empathy and solidarity, aimed at promoting support networks, verified information, and primary care resources so that no one is left behind.
With this alliance, the province of Camagüey sends a clear message: mental health is a priority that concerns us all. The union between Prosalud, the Finlay House Museum, the Music Center, and INDER sets a hopeful precedent, demonstrating that when different sectors of society work together, it is possible to build a more resilient, happier, and, above all, emotionally healthier community.
Taken from Radio Cadena Agramonte (RCA)
