We all know that in today’s Cuba, we face many challenges and difficulties.We are suffering from a very complex economic and social situation. That forces our people to face their daily lives with greatstress, often leading to discouragement.
Shortages, limitations, high prices for basic goods, transportation problems, limited availability of medications, increased violence and addictive behaviors. Among others, are elements that test our coping mechanisms and our resilience.
We are human beings, and all of this impacts our emotional stability. It is not surprising that mental health problems become relevant in such circumstances. I believe it is essential that professionals working in this important health area analyze.
Discuss, and converse about crucial issues in order to design and implement intervention strategies. For the care of mental disorders above all, for their prevention. That’s why I congratulate the idea of holding a Mental Health Symposium in Holguin next May.
I’ve had the pleasure of communicating with the Organizing Committee of this event. I know how the idea came about. How it was structured, and I have the immense pleasure of being part of its organization. In our meeting today, I will speak with Dr. Mayra Góngora Herce, a psychiatrist, professor of the specialty. Master’s in Community Mental Health, and president of the Holguin Chapter of the Cuban Society of Psychiatry. Who is also the president of the symposium’s Organizing Committee.
Mayra is my colleague, but she’s also my friend. Together we shared personal and professional dreams and adventures between 1988 and 1999. So this interview will not be within the most formal canons. Here we go.
Mayra, I’d like to begin with a very general question to put the readers in context: what is mental health?
When we talk about this term, we refer to a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with life’s stressful moments. Develop all their skills, learn and work adequately. Contribute to the improvement of their communities. It is a fundamental part of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective capacities to make decisions. Establish relationships, and shape the world we live in.
Mental health is also a fundamental human right. It is also an essential element for personal, community, and socioeconomic development. It should be noted that mental health is more than the mere absence of mental disorders. It occurs in a complex process, which each person experiences differently.With varying degrees of difficulty, distress, and social and clinical outcomes that can be very different.
Why is it said that there is no health without mental health?
Health is one, it is whole, it is integral.I believe that would be the essence of the answer to that question.I might add that mental health disorders increase the risk of other diseases and contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries.
Depression continues to occupy the leading position among mental disorders. It is twice as common in women as men. Mental and neurological disorders in older adults. Such as Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias, and depression. Contribute significantly to the burden of non-communicable diseases. Currently, mental disorders and psychoactive substance-related disorders are highly prevalent worldwide and are major causes of morbidity, disability, and premature mortality.
Doctor, how did the idea of holding the Holguin 2025 Mental Health Symposium come about?
There is a short answer and a long one. In any case, the important thing is its realization. But in general, the idea arose from the current needs of our population and because it is a tradition for the Cuban Psychiatric Society to hold provincial conferences in all its chapters. And we wanted to hold our provincial conference. We invited some professors from Havana. They agreed to come here, we proposed it to the Provincial Council of Scientific Health Societies, the Council approved it… and that’s how it all came together. There are more details, but I think I’ve outlined the basics.
Who will participate in the Symposium, and how is it designed?
It is aimed at specialists in psychiatry and child psychiatry. Residents in both specialties, psychologists, general practitioners (GPs), nursing staff, and other mental health professionals and technicians. It is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Víctor Urbino Matamoros, who was a renowned professor of psychiatry in the province. It will take place over four days, from May 14 to 17.
The venue, so far, is the Vladimir I. Lenin University Hospital Theater. The event will feature open topics, lectures, courses, workshops, panels, and side activities, including meetings in healthcare centers and the presentation of the book “The Gentleman from Paris” by Professor and Doctor of Science Luis Calzadilla Fierro, Guest of Honor at the event.
What are the main topics of the event?
We will meet to exchange and discuss specific topics in Mental Health: Psychiatric Clinic, Biological Psychiatry, Addictions, Art and Mental Health. Therapeutic Film Debate, Cognitive Disorders and Dementia, Psychotherapy, Violence, and Liaison Psychiatry.
There will be presentations on other topics, but the key ones are those I mentioned.
And what has been the response—I mean the reception—from psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health technicians and specialists in the province?
It has been very good, truly.I would say there was an enthusiastic, rapid response, and in many cases, very specific proposals for collaboration.Everything has been organized very quickly, but everything has been well thought out.I am not alone in this; there are many people collaborating, whom I would like to thank.
The vice presidents of the Organizing Committee are Dr. Damaris González Martínez, from the Child Psychiatry Service of the Provincial Pediatric Hospital, and Dr. Delvis Cabrera Rodríguez, from the Mental Health Department of the municipality of Holguin.
Our secretary is Dr. Eilín Martínez Verdecia, Assistant Director of Teaching at the Holguin Psychiatric Hospital. Our advisors are Dr. Elianis Ocaña Samada, Vice President of the Provincial Council of Scientific Health Societies, and you, Master of Science Dr. Israel Manuel Fagundo Pino, Coordinator of the Art and Mental Health Section of the Cuban Society of Psychiatry. (BOTH LAUGH)
I still have a few points to clarify, Mayra, but I think that’s enough for today… why don’t we talk again next Monday?
Yes, that’s fine by me. There are more people I’ll thank another time when I have the opportunity. But I don’t want to forget to thank, in a very special way, the guest professors. Doctors of Science Luis Ramón Calzadilla Fierro, who is a Full Professor and Consultant at the Calixto García School of Medical Sciences, and Antonio Jesús Caballero Moreno, from the Enrique Cabrera School, both in Havana.
Also to Dr. Manuel Juárez Salgado, a fourth-year resident in the specialty at the Calixto García General Hospital, who is collaborating in various ways and will have an important participation… And of course, to you, my dear friend, who also have a vital role to play in this event.
Okay, Mayra, thank you for sharing these few minutes with me. I’ll now give you the phone number of my editor, José Miguel Ávila, so he can help you with the communication and promotional strategy. I think the media also has a responsible role to play in the mental health of our population. See you next Monday.
Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernández
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