Mental Health Program Reaches 55 Participants in Machico
Madeira GuideThe PRIORIZAR program, focusing on mental health and self-care, engaged 55 participants over 13 weeks at the Machico Health Center, involving a multidisciplinary team.
In a significant step towards enhancing mental health care in Madeira, the Machico Health Center recently concluded the PRIORIZAR program, a 13-week initiative aimed at promoting mental well-being and self-care among residents. The program, which involved 55 participants from the municipalities of Santa Cruz, Machico, and Santana, was spearheaded by the Serviço de Psicologia do Serviço Regional de Saúde (SESARAM).
The PRIORIZAR program was orchestrated by clinical and health psychologists Paula ChapĂ©u, Bárbara NĂłbrega, and CĂria Correia. This initiative aimed to reinforce strategies of well-being across various dimensions—physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and relational—within the framework of primary health care.
The program's success hinged on a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together 13 trainers from SESARAM, EPERAM, the Regional Health Directorate, the Institute of Health Administration, IP-RAM, and the Madeira Social Security Institute, IP-RAM. These experts spanned fields including psychology, general medicine, nutrition, social work, and physiotherapy.
Weekly sessions, held from April to July, were practical and experiential, based on scientific evidence. They were complemented by regular follow-ups where participants received guidance and support in implementing the strategies discussed during the sessions.
The high level of participation and engagement from the community highlighted a growing interest in mental health and quality of life initiatives. In light of the positive outcomes, SESARAM plans to consider future editions of the program, aiming to establish PRIORIZAR as a regional benchmark for mental health promotion.
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Madeira Guide
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