This specialized service, promoted by the Youth Department, aims to promote emotional well-being and mental health in a population segment particularly vulnerable to psychological problems. This is the second time this program, which already completed two years since its launch in 2024, is being put into operation. The previous tender was awarded to Inial Neural SL for a lower amount.
The need for this program is based on the legal framework for youth support and the Elche Youth Plan 2026-2029. The main objective is to combat the stigmatization of mental disorders and prevent risk behaviors, self-harm, and suicide among adolescents. The service will have a socio-educational and non-formal education approach, avoiding direct clinical or therapeutic interventions.
The minimum services will include individual and family support, listening spaces, initial assessment, and brief emotional support (three to four sessions per user), aimed at containment and referral to specialized resources if necessary. Group activities such as emotional education workshops, discussions, and safe socio-cultural activities will also be carried out.
Furthermore, interventions will take place in high schools through talks, workshops, and prevention and awareness campaigns, as well as digital campaigns. Face-to-face activities will primarily be held at L’Escorxador, youth centers, and high schools. The service will suspend its ordinary activities during August, Christmas, and Easter holidays.
The tender specifications require a minimum mandatory team of four professionals with accredited training in child and adolescent mental health and family therapy, as well as a negative certificate from the Central Registry of Sexual Offenders due to working with minors. The team must include a coordinator with a degree in Psychology or Psychiatry, a Psychology professional focused on social intervention and family therapy, and two professionals from the social or socio-educational field (social educators, TIS, occupational therapists, or socio-cultural animators).
This initiative aims to respond to the academic, labor, family, and digital challenges faced by today's youth, such as employment difficulties, emancipation, equality, or diversity. It is worth remembering that the Department of Childhood and Seniors already offers a preventive psychological support service for families with minors, which has assisted over 200 families.
