The initiative brought together professionals and other stakeholders for an interdisciplinary reflection on current mental health challenges, prevention, psychological intervention, and the importance of mental health literacy, bridging scientific knowledge with the community.
In the official opening session, the president of the Ribeira Grande Municipal Council, Jaime Vieira, congratulated USISM for organizing the first edition of the conference and highlighted the importance of recognizing mental health as a fundamental dimension of health and well-being, emphasizing that “there is no full health without mental health”.
The mayor also advocated for the need to strengthen coordination between health professionals, schools, families, social institutions, municipalities, and the community, to ensure responses that are closer, more integrated, and adequate to people's needs.
Jaime Vieira also highlighted the Municipality's role in this area, announcing the creation of the Municipal Unit for the Prevention and Combat of Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies of Ribeira Grande, which foresees the provision of specific psychological support, including proximity assistance to the most isolated and vulnerable individuals, particularly the senior population.
The holding of the conference in Ribeira Grande was also valued by the Municipal Council president as an example of the opening of municipal facilities for scientific, technical, and training meetings, reinforcing the role of the Ribeiragrandense Theater as a space for knowledge, debate, and sharing.
The Municipality of Ribeira Grande thus reaffirms its commitment to promoting the health, prevention, and well-being of the population, as well as to cooperation with the institutions and professionals who work daily for the benefit of the community.
