Duration: 2017 – 2019
Principal Researcher
Carlos Pereira
Team Members
Amadeu Gonçalves
Ana Andrade
António Madureira Dias
Carla Cruz
Carlos Albuquerque
Carlos Pereira
Cláudia Chaves
Conceição Martins
Daniel Silva
Emília Coutinho
Ernestina Silva
Fernanda Santos
Graça Aparício
Isabel Bica
Isabel Neves
João Duarte
José Costa
Lídia Cabral
Madalena Cunha
Manuela Ferreira
Noel De Jesus Lopes
Nuno Pessoa Gil
Odete Amaral
Olivério Ribeiro
Paula Nelas
Rosa Martins
Sofia Campos
Suzana André
Institutional and Enterprise Partners
Instituição Proponente: Instituto Politécnico de Viseu
Copromotores: Município de Viseu; Agrupamento de Escolas Infante D.Henrique, Viseu; Instituto Politécnico da Guarda; Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Epe (CHTV, E.P.E.)
Funding
FEDER – FF 413; Programa Operacional Regional do Centro; Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Research line:
Health Education and Quality of Life
This project is an urgent need in the central region of Portugal. The impact of mental and behavioral disorders requires the planning of interventions targeted at specific population groups. The need to promote mental health and quality of life has been a recognized challenge by the European Union, recently reinforced in the European Framework for Action on Mental Health and Wellbeing. This framework advocates for mental health and well-being interventions in priority areas: promoting mental health in workplaces and schools, implementing actions against depression, suicide, and local services; developing socially inclusive community mental health care; and integrating mental health into all policies. The basis for this challenge in Portugal, particularly in the central region, lies in epidemiological studies reporting a prevalence of child and adolescent mental disorders of around 20%, constituting a serious public health problem. Thus, the promotion of mental health is a priority to achieve national strategic objectives and strengthen the European commitment to solidarity, social justice, and citizens' quality of life in a tangible way. It is noteworthy that promoting mental health in children and adolescents is an investment in the future, and schools are a privileged ground for such action.