The Mancomunitat de la Ribera Alta has posthumously awarded its Honorary Award to Dr Ramón García López in recognition of his outstanding career in the field of mental health and his contribution to the region.
Since 2007, the Mancomunitat has awarded this prize to individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves publicly in their artistic, cultural, sporting, civic, professional or research activities, promoting the cultural, economic and social progress of the Ribera Alta. On this occasion, the award has been given in recognition of the career of a key figure in psychiatry, who dedicated his life to improving the quality of life of people with mental illness.
The award ceremony was held on Thursday, 20 February 2025, in the Plenary Hall of the Alzira Town Hall. The event was presided over by the president of the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Alta, Paqui Momparler Orta, and the councillor of the Alzira Town Hall, Andrés Gomis, together with other mayors and councillors from the region. Representatives of the Afaradem association also attended, as well as family members, colleagues and friends of Dr García López. The award was collected by his relatives Nuria Pérez de Lara and Pau García.
Born in Fuente Álamo, Albacete, Ramón García López demonstrated from a very young age a strong commitment to the mental wellbeing of the most vulnerable people. In the 1970s, he became a leading figure in the anti-psychiatry movement in Spain. In 1973, he assumed clinical responsibility for Ward 9 for women in Bétera, where he led a team of young professionals who revolutionised the approach to psychiatry in the country.
With a progressive vision, Dr García López defended the dignity and rights of people with mental illness, working to transform the old asylums into spaces for humane treatment and social integration. He promoted solidarity networks inside and outside these institutions and was a key figure in the creation of the Psychiatric Coordination Committee and the Mental Health Workers’ Platform.
His work left a deep mark on the Ribera Alta region. After his time in Bétera, he practised his profession in Alzira and Carlet, always with the same energy and commitment. He was also one of the founders of the Association of Families of Mental Patients of La Ribera, Afaradem, an organisation that continues to be a benchmark in the defence of the rights and support of people with mental illness and their families.
Dr Ramón García López passed away on 8 April, but his legacy lives on through the institutions and individuals who shared his vision and values. The Ribera Alta Association pays tribute to him with this award, recognising his invaluable contribution to mental health and the well-being of society.
