In celebration of the Roma Community Day 2026, the event “Sastipen Thaj Mestipen: Emotional Wellbeing and Community in Polígono Sur” gathered a diverse group of participants at the Factoría Cultural Auditorium in Seville, Spain. Held on 14 April by the PsyNal Group of the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS) in coordination with the Commissioner for Polígono Sur and the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, the event marked an important step forward in fostering dialogue and collective action around mental health in vulnerable contexts.
Framed within the EU-funded project MentBox, the event created a space for meaningful exchange, mutual listening and shared learning. Participants openly addressed key issues surrounding mental health including stigma, the importance of role models, coping strategies and access to resources. Equally central to the discussions were the foundational elements that sustain communities: culture, social bonds, spirituality and understanding.
A key highlight was the active participation of the Roma community. Leaders and representatives shared firsthand perspectives on emotional wellbeing, underscoring the importance of inclusive spaces where communities can speak for themselves and lead conversations that affect them.
Initiatives like “Sastipen Thaj Mestipen” underscore the need for sustained, culturally sensitive, community-led action in neighbourhoods like Polígono Sur. As emphasised throughout the day, mental health is a shared challenge requiring collective commitment, ongoing dialogue and inclusive participation.
The event also stood out for its strong organisational framework and the effective collaboration among institutions and social actors. The coordinated efforts of associations, healthcare professionals and community stakeholders demonstrated once again the critical value of network-based approaches, particularly in areas facing social exclusion.
The event was supported by a wide range of organisations, including the Andalusian Health Service, Seville City Council, ICAS, the University of Seville, the University of Sydney, Factoría Cultural, the Roma Women’s Association Akherdi, Asociación Entre Amigos de Sevilla, Fakali, Fundación Alalá, the Evangelical Church El Templo, the Roma Cultural Association Vencedores and the MentBox consortium.
About Mentbox
The Modular Mental Health Toolbox (MentBox) is a project coordinated by the European Alliance Against Depression and co-funded by the European Union. It aims to close the gap between mental health best practices and their implementation across Europe, especially in underserved and vulnerable communities including the Roma population.
Through a collaborative effort, MentBox aims to develop a comprehensive, adaptable toolbox that empowers EU member states to address critical mental health challenges such as depression and suicide prevention. By leveraging evidence-based interventions and tailoring them to local needs, MentBox provides practical solutions that can be readily adopted to support the mental well-being of diverse populations. Further information can be found on the project’s website https://mentbox.eu/
