Art and Creativity as Central Themes at the 8th Catalan Congress of Mental Health

Participation on November 13‑14, 2025

On November 13 and 14, 2025, Barcelona will host the 8th Catalan Congress of Mental Health, focused on art, culture, and creativity as tools to promote emotional well-being, mental health recovery, and community inclusion (fccsm.net).

The event highlights artistic creation processes —from visual and performing arts to literature and music— as a vehicle for expression, communication, and social transformation, generating spaces for socialization, inclusion, and collective empowerment.

On Friday, November 14, the professional team will present the main lines of work in the Tolima area, as well as ongoing projects, with the goal of sharing their work and answering your questions. You can find them at the Col·legi de Metges de Barcelona (Pg. Bonanova 47).

Why Art and Creativity Matter in Mental Health

Scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of art and creativity as complementary tools in psychosocial interventions:

A quantitative systematic review of art therapy in non-psychotic mental health disorders concluded that, out of 15 randomized clinical trials, 14 showed significant improvements compared to baseline, and 10 were significantly better than the control group (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2016).

A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials in children and adolescents reported a standardized mean difference (SMD) of ‑0.72, with a 95% confidence interval [‑1.28 to ‑0.16] and p = 0.01, in the reduction of depressive symptoms following art therapy interventions (PubMed, 2023).
These findings support that incorporating creativity and art into mental health programs is beneficial and adaptable to different contexts, including those developed in Tolima.

Strengthening Professional Capacities and Practices

At YumaKids, we view creativity and art not only as supportive tools but as strategic components with clinical value. Participation in the Congress provides the professional community with opportunities to:

• Learn about methodologies and practices applied in Tolima that may inspire new strategies in different contexts.
• Participate in discussions and knowledge-exchange sessions, enriching collective understanding of integrating art into mental health.
• Connect and collaborate with other professionals, researchers, and organizations, fostering support networks and synergies for future interventions.
• Contribute ideas, questions, and experiences, promoting shared learning and the development of best practices in mental health programs and community projects.

Download the full program here