The celebration of World Mental Health Day (October 10th) took place with activities open to the entire community. Highlights included a Yoga session, which gathered around 30 people with monitor Anabela Rodrigues, and the Festival Mental, which featured the initiative Conversas Sem Tabus (Taboo-Free Conversations) at the Casa da Cultura on the 9th. The Mayor, Ana Rita Dias, noted that initiatives related to mental health are ongoing throughout the month, with a traveling festival covering the council's parishes. She emphasized the importance of mental health across all age groups, including pre-adolescence.
A video featuring individuals from the Universidade Sénior (Senior University) served as a starting point to address the social issue of mental health conditions. In a panel discussion on “Saúde mental sem tabu,” nurses from various specialties highlighted warning signs such as mood changes or sleep difficulties, stressing the importance of support from family and friends. Leonel Fernandes, Andreia Gonçalves, Cláudio Sousa, and Nuno Pires participated in the discussion.
The event concluded with a Q&A session between the audience and speakers, followed by a community lunch and the distribution of the Mental Health Resource Guide. The Festival Mental is promoted by the Município de Vila Pouca de Aguiar with support from Norte 2030, the Community Intervention Plan in Health and Aging, and the Local Health Unit of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro.
“"It's not just in older ages that mental health problems arise; it's increasingly at a young age, for example, in pre-adolescence, meaning mental health concerns everyone in the community."
Support contacts were also provided: 112 (immediate danger or medical emergency), 1411 (psychological distress and suicide risk), 808242424 (psychological counseling), and 259419460 (continued support at the health center).
