The joint initiative by the Municipalities of Amares, Vila Verde, and Terras de Bouro took place in the Noble Hall of the Amares Municipal Chamber on October 14th. The event provided a space for reflection on crucial issues for individual and collective well-being, under the theme “Mental Health Challenges Today”.
The opening session was attended by Emanuel Magalhães (Mayor of Amares), Júlia Fernandes (Mayor of Vila Verde), Manuel Tibo (Mayor of Terras de Bouro), and Gaspar Ferreira (President of the Northern Regional Delegation of the Order of Portuguese Psychologists). The importance of cooperation between municipalities and partner entities in promoting mental health and community awareness was highlighted.
Emanuel Magalhães, Mayor of Amares, emphasized mental health as an essential dimension of quality of life, stressing the role of awareness, prevention, and cooperation for effective responses.
During the afternoon, three thematic sessions were held. The first focused on the risks and opportunities of the Internet and social networks for the mental health of children and young people, with an intervention by Magda Lopes (Institute for Development, Paredes) and moderation by Sofia Pinto (Amares Municipal Chamber).
Cultural prescription was another topic addressed, with the presentation of a project from the University of Porto by Diana Alves (Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto), moderated by Alexandrina Cerqueira (Vila Verde Municipal Chamber).
A reflection on recreational gaming and addiction, focusing on gambling disorder, was led by Marta Alves (Projeto Homem, Braga), moderated by Filipa Moreira (Terras de Bouro Municipal Chamber).
The Forum also included a cultural participation from the Senior Singing Group of Project Raízes – Valoriz(a).
The closing session was led by Cidália Abreu, councilor responsible for Education, Social Action, and Health at the Amares Municipal Chamber.
Organized by the Municipalities of Amares, Vila Verde, and Terras de Bouro, with the collaboration of the Northern Regional Delegation of the Order of Portuguese Psychologists, the event was accredited by the Order of Portuguese Psychologists and the Alto Cávado Training Center (CFAC). This fourth edition reinforces the joint work in promoting mental health.
