Early Prevention for Mental Health: Comprehensive Approach of Fundación Manantial

At Fundación Manantial, we recognise the critical importance of early prevention with regard to mental health, particularly in the family environment. Our efforts are aimed at proactively addressing the challenges faced by children of people with mental health conditions. We offer comprehensive support for their healthy development from the early stages of life.

Our Early Prevention Approach

Support and Prevention Strategies

We are committed to providing the right tools and support to prevent risky situations related to mental and behavioural disorders. Our goal is to ensure that children and their families have the best opportunities for healthy development and a fulfilling life.

Attention to the Whole Family

We understand that children’s well-being is intrinsically connected to the family environment. That’s why our programmes and services are designed to support not only children but also their parents, wherein we offer counselling, resources, and support that can benefit the whole family.

“Casa Verde”

Support, prevention and follow-up for little children of people with mental health disorders

“Casa Verde” (Green House) is a care programme aimed at mothers, fathers and pregnant women with mental health conditions or emotional instability and their children between 0 to 5 years. Through this programme, we seek to prevent emotional disturbances and obstacles in the child’s development while enhancing the social and emotional well-being of the whole family.

It is based on a set of measures and professional interventions designed to reduce risk factors, encourage healthy bonds, address the emotional and mental health disorders in adults, and stimulate their children’s development.

Our intervention yields the necessary changes and support so that people struggling with mental illness can experience parenthood under the same conditions as others. Likewise, “Casa Verde” strives to safeguard the children’s right to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.

We work with a comprehensive approach focused on the well-being of the whole family. Our team consists of adult and child psychologists, social workers and educators, and occupational therapists specialising in sensory integration and neurodevelopment.

Since the beginning of the programme, we have served an average of 60 families a year—about 115 mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. In addition to significantly improved emotional and psychological well-being, these families are able to enjoy better social support and living conditions. Over the years that “Casa Verde” has been in place, only 0.1% of cases have needed the intervention of the child protection system, leading to the proceedings of protection of minors.

To prevent emotional, mental and psychosocial problems in children, we work with a network of general as well as children’s health and social care services, local entities specialising in social inclusion and educational centres. We provide psychotherapeutic services and support for parenting skills to adults. We also identify and address the challenges that may arise in their children’s development and well-being. In addition, we promote social inclusion and community participation of the whole family to help grow their social support networks.

“Casa Verde” is designed to ensure children’s care and well-being by enhancing the primary caregivers’ parenting skills and abilities while reducing emotional discomfort and fostering the competence and social support of adults.

We exchange knowledge and collaborate with Conecta Perinatal—a Latin American alliance for perinatal mental health—and the European Federation of Associations of Families of People with Mental Illness (EUFAMI).

The programme is offered in Madrid and can be accessed via referrals from Family Care Centres, Child Care Centres, Social Services, Primary Care Services and Mental Health Services. It is supported by the Department of Social Policies, Family and Equality of the Madrid City Council and the Ministry of Family, Youth and Social Affairs of the Community of Madrid.

PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION“Casa Verde”: Support, prevention and follow-up for little children of people with mental health disorders

Extension of Fundación Manantial’s Commitment

Support and Collaboration Network

Besides our specialised team, we network with other professionals to provide broader and more effective support. This interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to address the needs of families and children extensively.

Community Participation

We encourage active community participation in our programme. Creating a supportive and understanding environment in the community is vital to the success of our initiatives.

Promoting Family Well-being

We are dedicated to promoting a healthy family environment by offering resources and support to strengthen family relationships and improve the quality of life for all family members.

At Fundación Manantial, we are dedicated to fostering a healthier, more positive future for families and children affected by mental health conditions. Our early prevention programmes seek to lay the foundation for healthy development and long-term well-being. We invite families, professionals, and anyone interested in learning more about our efforts towards early mental health prevention to please get in touch with us. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.