It is called PSIBAL and was created in June, and from now on,Promoting mental health and well-being in the Algarve region and ensuring that these benefits reach everyone, “especially the most economically vulnerable populations.”
“The aim of creating this association was to address the lack of support and training that exists in the field of mental health and wellbeing, especially for the most vulnerable population groups, and we thought we could be of added value in this regard,” he begins by explaining. South information Psychologist Pedro Pinheiro Coelho, President PSIBAL – Algarve Association for Mental Health and Well-Being.
Awareness projects, training, workshops and research are currently the association’s core activities, but the idea, according to the president, is that from now on, it will also be able to provide advice to those who are unable to access this support due to lack of funds, high private coverage rates and lack of response from the SNS.
“We don’t want to compete with anyone: that’s why we welcome all the help of psychologists who want to join us, so that we can offer these consultations free of charge to people,” continues Pedro Coelho, stressing that the entities support us with the necessary support in terms of providing the physical spaces to carry out the work.
Currently, the team consists of nine people, who have their jobs and work in the association. For the public interestTime management according to availability.
Although the majority are from the Barlavento Algarve region – and PSIBAL is based in Lagoa – Pedro Coelho explains that the association’s goal is to reach the entire Algarve region.
To schools, with psychological support programmes for students and teacher training; to the elderly, with psychosocial support programmes, combating loneliness and encouraging active participation in society; to the general community, through awareness-raising projects and psychological support for vulnerable groups; and to organisations, with the promotion of well-being in the workplace, prevention of psychosocial risks, workshops on stress management and strategies to increase employee productivity and satisfaction.
On the occasion of the start of the activities of this association, created by a group of professionals specialized in the field of psychology and well-being, the Days of Health and Psychological Well-Being will be held in October.
The event will feature local and international speakers, such as a representative of the Alzheimer’s Society in England.
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