More than 400 people filled the Aula Magna of the University to participate in the exclusive premiere of La Xarxa Invisible. A Documentary About the Prevention of Suicide in Young People, in an emotional event hosted by the journalist and member of the University Advisory Board of UIC Barcelona Ramon Pellicer. Iñaki Zubizarreta, former basketball player of the ACB League and victim of harassment was present as a special guest, and he shared his shocking story with the audience. “Regardless of the physical characteristics of each person, we all have a heart that suffers from aggression, both physical and psychological. It can deeply affect the person on the receiving end, especially if they are a child or teenager. This is why it is essential to create safe environments where people who need it feel that they can speak and be heard without being judged,” stressed Zubizarreta.
This reality is reflected in the new production of UIC Barcelona ‘La Xarxa Invisible’,(The Invisible Net). A Documentary on the Prevention of Suicide in Young People which offers an overall view of all those involved in the prevention and care of the mental health of young people. It does so through the stories of young people and families who have had to face pain and loneliness and mourning for the loss of a loved one, as well as experts and organisations in the field. All of them highlight the importance of the surroundings in the prevention of suicide and how the pandemic has significantly aggravated the situation.
The event also featured a round table made up of three experts from different fields who participated in the documentary: clinician Dr Francisco Villar, child and youth clinical psychologist and care programme coordinator for suicidal behaviour in childhood and adolescence at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital; education specialist Gloria Iniesta, teacher, psychologist and member of the APSAS (Association for the Prevention of Suicide and Survivor Care); and government representative Diego Palao, coordinator of the PLAPRESC initiative of the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia.
Representatives of the City Councils of Sant Cugat del Vallès and Barcelona, institutions that have collaborated in the production and the conferences promoted by the University also participated in the event. They stressed the importance of joint work between different public administrations and organisations to weave a social network that promotes mental health and supports everyone who needs it, especially the youngest in society.
Rector Alfonso Méndiz closed the ceremony. In his speech he stressed that “UIC Barcelona regards social commitment as one of its four values, and that is why we put so much involvement and motivation into the making of this documentary. We want it to be a cry of hope on World Suicide Prevention Day. We must be committed to talking about suicide and participating in volunteer activities.”
About La Xarxa Invisible, a documentary that talks about life, hope and dignity of the person
In the words of Josep Maria Torné, general manager of the University, “as a university, our mission is humanising the transformation of society. That is why we are supporting this initiative in favour of the mental health and emotional well-being of our young people. The Invisible Net clearly reflects this commitment, highlighting this reality with the will to open a space for reflection in our community on a problem that is often hidden”.
Albert Gordillo, director of the documentary, producer Aidé Gómez and executive producer Lluïsa Cassina explained that “the great reception of the documentary Brazadas, the first production of UIC Barcelona focused on ALS, motivated us to create a new documentary to highlight the troubling problem of suicide among young people”.
The presentation of the documentary was part of different activities of the Conference for the Prevention of Suicide in Young People organised by the University that took place over two days on 9 and 10 September at both UIC Barcelona campuses.
