The Nordeste Municipal Chamber, represented by councilwoman Sara Sousa, hosted the session organized by the Regional Directorate of Youth. The event focused on presenting the “JUVENTUDE.AZORES – Get to know your DRJ!” roadmap, a program prioritizing youth prevention and emotional empowerment in regional policies.
During the session, measures and programs from the Government of the Azores were detailed to support young residents in areas such as employment, volunteering, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, mobility, citizenship, and youth associations.
The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing, and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, announced the “Vale Ment(ON) – Program for the Promotion of Psychological Skills in Young People”. This new initiative aims to enhance the mental health and emotional resilience of young Azoreans.
The regulation for “Vale Ment(ON)” will be published this Thursday, September 24th, in the Official Gazette. Young people aged between 15 and 26, born or residing in the Azores, will be eligible for a voucher of 400 euros to purchase individual sessions with specialized psychologists. The voucher is valid for two years and can be used for up to ten sessions, conducted in person or online, with participating entities.
Maria João Carreiro emphasized the importance of addressing mental health not just as the absence of illness, but as a foundation for well-being, self-esteem, resilience, and the ability to cope with difficulties. "It's about skills that are fundamental for life," she stated.
A protocol was signed between the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing, and Employment and the Order of Portuguese Psychologists (OPP), represented by its president Sofia Ramalho and the regional delegate for the Azores, Marco Santos. This collaboration ensures the technical rigor and quality of the “Vale Ment(ON)” program.
The Regional Secretary highlighted that ensuring resilient youth means equipping them with tools to understand their emotions, make decisions, overcome adversity, and know when and where to seek help. Applications for “Vale Ment(ON)” will open via an Order from the Regional Secretary and must be submitted through the Youth Portal (juventude.azores.gov.pt).
All these measures and programs are available for consultation on the Youth Portal.
