The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Health and Civil Protection and the Institute of Health Administration (IASAÚDE), has formalised a programme contract with the Institute of the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Psychopedagogical Rehabilitation Centre of the Holy Family. This financial support is intended for the implementation of the ‘Mais Contigo Programme’, a multilevel longitudinal intervention and research project, focused on the promotion of mental health and suicide prevention.
The Regional Secretary for Health and Civil Protection, Micaela Fonseca de Freitas, who was present at the occasion, praised the presentation of the project and underlined the commitment of the Regional Government in the area of Mental Health, with policies that, although they do not present immediate results, will have a significant impact on future generations.
By addressing the influence of social networks and the contrast with the real world, the minister expressed confidence in the present and future success of the programme, challenging the presentation of more projects of this nature to strengthen Mental Health in the Region.
André Barreto, Supervising Nurse of the Psychopedagogical Rehabilitation Centre of the Sagrada Família and main promoter of the project in the Region, presented a framework of the programme and the results achieved since its inception in 2021.
In turn, Rui Freitas, Managing Director of the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Psychopedagogical Rehabilitation Centre of the Holy Family, thanked the support, highlighting that it will not facilitate the existing programme, but also strengthen and expand it, ensuring that more young people can benefit from this essential support. Rui Freitas also valued the dedication and commitment of the professionals involved, who have made a difference in the lives of many young people.
The programme contract provides for a maximum financial support of ten thousand euros for the current year. The ‘Mais Contigo Programme’ has as its main objectives the promotion of Mental Health and well-being in young people in the 3rd cycle and secondary school and the people closest to them (parents, teachers and operational assistants), the prevention of suicidal behaviours, the fight against stigma in Mental Health and the creation of a Mental Health care network. The specific objectives include the promotion of social skills, self-concept, problem-solving skills, the development of assertiveness in communication, the expression and management of emotions, the early detection of situations of mental disorder and the strengthening of support networks in Health services.
It should be noted that the ‘Mais Contigo Programme’ is part of the Suicide Prevention and Post-Suicide Intervention project, created in 2009 at the Coimbra Nursing School.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com