The Child Participation Body of La Rinconada participated in the presentation of UNICEF Spain's barometer on adolescent mental health, held in Sevilla. The data reflects an increase in loneliness and sadness among young people.
The Child Participation Body (OPI) of La Rinconada had a prominent presence at the 2024-2026 Childhood and Adolescence Opinion Barometer, presented at CaixaForum Sevilla. Its representatives, Carlos Blanco and Carmen Bravo, shared the stage with Pilar Ramos, the study's director and a Psychology professor at the University of Sevilla, and Mª Ángeles Espinosa, president of UNICEF Spain.
The report points to a deterioration in adolescents' perception of their own emotional well-being. According to the study, among students from first to fourth year of secondary school, loneliness and sadness have increased in recent years, and levels of well-being have fallen at a rate that the authors consider unprecedented, with a more marked decline among girls.
Espinosa urged that the matter be taken seriously without causing alarm. In her words, the problem "conditions the present of adolescence, but also its future," so it is important not to simplify it or look the other way.
"The increase in loneliness and sadness among adolescents aged 12 to 16 is something that should concern us and call us to action."
From the perspective of the young people themselves, Carmen Bravo argued that asking for help should be normalised and not seen as something negative. She also called for professionals to be prepared to effectively support adolescents.
"Asking for help should not be seen as something bad and should be normalised."
Carlos Blanco explained that if he had a mental health issue, he would believe he could count on the support of his peers. However, he warned that someone going through a tough time may be subject to ridicule by others.
"If someone is unwell, it may be that people laugh at them."
Based on the analysis of the data and opinions gathered among adolescents, UNICEF Spain launches recommendations for different groups. It calls on public administrations to place adolescent mental health at the centre of childhood policies.
It urges the education system to create centres where it is easy to ask for help, prioritising bullying prevention and ensuring that counsellors are truly accessible. It asks the health system to act before distress leads to crises, reduce waiting times, and have professionals trained in child and adolescent mental health.
For families, the organisation proposes listening, accompanying, and maintaining open communication, as well as recognising the signs that require attention and knowing how to respond to them.
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