Ana López Trenco: «For emotional well-being, my motto is: optimistic realism»

There is no health without mental health.

Health is integral; We are not a mental part and a physical part and, in fact, mental problems also manifest themselves with physical pain: in the chest, digestive, muscle, sleep disorders... We imagine mental health as something more abstract and it is something very physical. It is a state of well-being that makes us aware of the capabilities we have. With good mental health we have a good relationship with ourselves and with others that enriches us.

However, we do not see going to the traumatologist if we have sprained an ankle as going to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

The collective ideology perpetuates stereotypes, but we must face that mental illness is like any other and that, in addition, it has solutions, which involve comprehensive care, not only psychological but also in relation to the environment, with an understanding on the part of the rest of the emotional and physical problems that help these people to relocate their life project.

Is mental health a stigma? Are people with these problems often discarded socially out of pure prejudice?

These prejudices can only be broken with information, giving visibility to these people and talking about it naturally. We should not see it as something foreign because we can be anyone; We are all vulnerable to having a mental health problem.

The Aragonese Association for Mental Health (ASAPME) that you manage works to change the perception that society has about mental health. Personally, how has your own perception changed?

Mine has been a process of learning and humility. When I arrived 15 years ago, I tended to propose care activities and I realized, seeing their competencies and abilities, that a model of personal autonomy had to be proposed. There were only family members on the board of directors and, now, it is a pride to have a president who lives with schizophrenia and other people with this disease also on the board. They are competent, fighters, capable of being leaders of our organization.

Now, they warn of a mental health pandemic.

Indeed. People with previous problems of schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder... have been able to increase their symptoms, but uncertainty, fear of contagion, loss and economic consequences have had an impact on the entire population. We are all vulnerable. Even those who were already in treatment were able to apply emotional management techniques, establishing routines and guidelines that helped them mitigate the impact of confinement. That is why it is so essential to have mental health resources and work on prevention.

Any advice on how to get through all of this with the least cost to our emotional well-being?

My motto is optimistic realism. Be very aware of what surrounds us, but keep a distance from the problems to face reality without despondency. And seek help when necessary, which can also be a friendly voice that, more than giving us advice, listens to us and puts itself in our place.

What was the hardest day?

I have it very clear: on Friday, with the imminent declaration of the state of alarm, we had to close the day center. Their looks, their anxiety when telling them that they couldn't come back the next day. But we reorganized at full speed to adapt and respond, with creativity and technology, to the 1.200 people we serve.

I've read that you consider yourself a disability activist.

From a very young age I have been a volunteer and, later, I had the great luck to fall in love with a person with a disability, Eduardo, who left me a great legacy: a life project of active struggle so that we value people for their abilities and not for their differences. It's what I've instilled in my daughter.