AFARAM – Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill of the Autonomous Region of Madeira expressed their “deepest regret for the tragic death of the 12-year-old child, who committed suicide due to school bullying.”
“According to publicly released information, the bullying situation may be at the origin of this irreparable loss. In this moment of pain, we address the most sincere condolences to the family, friends and school community and express our total solidarity,” says the association in a press statement.
According to AFARAM, directed by Octávio Gouveia, “this dramatic event recalls, in a raw and painful way, the urgency of actively intervening in the promotion of the mental health of children and young people in the Region. Psychological distress in childhood and adolescence is often invisible, devalued, or silenced. It is a collective responsibility to create safe spaces where young people can be heard, understood, and supported.”
In this context, AFARAM reveals that it has been implementing the Porto Seguro pilot project, which provides emotional support, active listening and guidance to children and young people in psychological distress, as well as to their families and school communities.
This project has the support of the BPI “la Caixa” Foundation Capacitar Award and the Funchal City Council, reinforcing the shared commitment to promoting psychological well-being at school age.
“At AFARAM, we believe that prevention should always be our priority, creating protection and support networks before suffering sets in. Even so, when necessary, we are also prepared to intervene in remediation contexts, offering technical and human support to children, young people, and families already affected by situations of psychological suffering or violence,” Octátivo Gouveia emphatically stated.
The association insists that it is “fully available to collaborate with all public and private entities, namely schools, ATL, community centres, health services, municipalities and associations, in the construction of joint and effective responses that promote the emotional well-being of children and young people in the Region.”
“Only together will we be able to ensure that no child feels alone in their suffering,” the statement concludes.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
