The Psychiatry Service of the Baixo Mondego Local Health Unit (ULS BM) organized, on October 14, the meeting “New Paradigms in Mental Health”, as part of the World Mental Health Day commemorations. The event, held at the ULS do Baixo Mondego Auditorium, was sold out with 70 participants, demonstrating the relevance of the topics discussed.
The opening session was attended by the President of the Board of Directors of ULS do Baixo Mondego, Ana Raquel Santos, who highlighted the importance of developing mental health responses that are closer and more person-centered. The program brought together specialists from different areas, providing a multidisciplinary approach.
Psychiatrist and Regional Coordinator of Mental Health, Tiago Santos, addressed the challenges of care coordination. Researcher Ana Telma Pereira, from IPN/FMUC, and psychiatrist Ana Isabel Gomes, from ULS BM, focused on reducing burnout in health professionals. Researcher Anabela Marisa Azul, from CNCB-UC, spoke on “Planetary Health, from awareness to practice”.
The meeting included a moment of intervention music, “Desmente: ouvir para crer” (Don't believe it: listen to believe it), and reflections on the experience of depressive illness by psychiatrist Gonçalo Santos. Nurse Carlos Duarte, from ULS BM, addressed the coordination of mental health care between hospital and community.
The Director of the Psychiatry Service of ULS do Baixo Mondego, José Temótio, focused his intervention on building a person-centered psychiatry service. Professor Doctor Manuel Veríssimo, President of the Regional Centre Section of the Order of Physicians, addressed “Health for people”.
The importance of a multidisciplinary approach, valuing prevention, proximity, and community involvement, was reinforced. ULS do Baixo Mondego thanks all speakers and participants, with special recognition to the Psychiatry Service for organizing the event.
