The seminar day is part of a formative circle that include mental health, addictions treatment and topics about elderly people.
To commemorate the World Mental Health Day, Psychology Program from Puerto Montt Campus of Los Lagos University held the first international conference update named “Mental Health attention for everyone: let’s make true”, which exhibitors from Spain and Chile participated. The seminar objective was to create training and conversation areas to ULagos students. Besides confirming that’s each individual condition is the solid base to the construction of plenary and satisfactory life. In the same area, it was reminded the definition of this concept, established by World Health Organization (WHO), that considers it as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not only the absence of medical illnesses”.
The virtual exposition allowed professional presentations in the field of psychiatry in Chile such as Consuelo Leiva and Patricia Zuñiga and Clinical psychologist Alejandro Quintana, together with Juan Francisco Torres, clinical psychologist from Spain. The host of the event was the Psychology Professor Mauricio Gonzalez Sepulveda, also it was attended by the authorities of the public university, professionals and students of the Psychology Program. The commemorative activity convened more than 120 people, among students, professionals and interested in this area at national and international level, in addition to being broadcasted on the digital multi-media channel ULagosTV. (Watch Seminar)
Mauricio Gonzalez, Professor and host of the Mental Health Seminar described the academic day and work developed by the Psychology Program from Puerto Montt Campus. “This activity born with the purpose to commemorate this day, which was held last October 10. Therefore, we confirm this successful seminar submitted a high participation with more than 120 people online. Now also it is uploaded on ULagos TV webpage of the University and we expect that its demands grows asynchronously, since our seminar tries to provide answers to the slogan established this year by the WHO “Mental Health attention for everyone: let’s make true”, so the idea as Psychology Faculty from Puerto Montt, is to generate these training and conversation environments for ULagos student community and professionals from this area”, the Psychology Professor and Master in Mental Health concluded.
Jorge Yaitul, Director of Department of Social Sciences, ULagos, along with greetings, he highlighted the recent working alliance with the Reloncaví Health Service and the support of the practice centers: “In addition to greeting the authorities, students and guests, we thank your participation in this activity. I want to stand out those efforts that have been undertaken by the University and the Psychology program from Puerto Montt Campus that tend to join a coordinated work with the clinical fields which are fundamental supports for the student’s practices in their disciplinary training, that is why this first international seminar aim at this direction. The vision works through Mauricio Gonzalez Sepulveda Professor. Our fundamental purpose in supporting these activities is to emphasize the importance where ULagos provides support and advice by being part of the training of new professionals. Lastly, at the beginning of this activity thank to the Reloncaví Health Service and other clinics areas that accompany us today, who have an important support role to allow student training from the Psychology Program”. The director of Social Sciences Department concluded.
Maria Loreto Lorca, Director of the Psychiatry Service, from Puerto Montt Hospital, reveal the increase in the number of diseases in the regional population: “I would like to express some general aspects about this sensitive issue that has brought to the forefront. Concerns associated with pandemic directly impact life quality and country productivity, being the main source of conditions in Chile. 23% of our population have mental health or neuro-psychiatric diseases. So, consequences have demonstrated that these issues have not been present only currently, but are carried forward from before, appeared now with confinement and its serious consequences in our population”.
Doctor of the Psychiatry Department continued by stating: “Mental Health issues have registered a decrease in household income. We know that unemployment rise is a dangerous factor in family component nucleus because they might have depression symptoms, mood decline, insomnia, sense of loneliness, resulting in some physical diseases by this uncertainty and insecurity conditions. Woman have had further consultations since they have been symptomatically more present in this condition. Physical illnesses, economic effects and pandemic lifestyle are directly related to the decline of mental health population. Unfortunately, this has not been a priority of any governmental administration. If the state does not invest on this sanitary area, we will have future greater problems with this clinic condition. Therefore, it is required new strategies ways to deal with this neuro-psychiatric needs”. The Specialist at the Base Hospital of the regional capital concluded.
The Psychology Academy in Pandemic Times
From the beginning of the Pandemic, the Psychology Program of ULagos has directly collaborated in training and support fields by students, and faculty whom assisting region’s inhabitants affected by mental conditions.
Mauricio Gonzalez, Psychology Professor, highlighted Los Lagos University contribution commitment to the regional community: “The importance of remembering what WHO says, that everyone’s health is a solid base to satisfactory and plenary construction of life. Under this premise, we want to be a contribution as Psychology Faculty from Puerto Montt. As Program we are interested in this close relationship between mental and physical sufferings. Also, we are looking for a constant bidirectional connection through the strengthening of assistance agreements with practice centers.” The ULagos psychologist concluded.
Psychology Program will continue making training conferences for the mental health students and professionals. For the next November 12, the First International Seminar will be held to update the addictive behaviors. The Second Conference on Senior Citizens’ Issues will end on December 10. The purpose is to complete the training and knowledge cycle in order to contribute the updating of professionals in our region and country.
