Between March and June, the second edition of the Pro•Stress Programme took place, organised by UCP2 Mental Health in partnership with the School of Life Skills of the Psychology Association at the University of Minho, aimed at students at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa. The main objective was to help students identify stressors and provide practical tools for managing them in their daily academic lives. 

Over the course of 10 sessions, participants gained a deeper understanding of stress and its impact on well-being, exploring its theoretical foundations as well as strategies for identifying, assessing and managing stressful situations in an academic context. The programme was delivered online during the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year. 

With a practical and participatory approach, Pro•Stress promoted moments of reflection and application of tools that allow for the identification of stress factors, recognition of signs of overload, and the development of more effective and adaptive management strategies, including the creation of individual stress management plans. 

The impact of the initiative is reflected in the participants' testimonials. Vítor Couto, an Analytics for Social Sciences student at the Catholic University of Portugal - Braga, highlights the relevance of the experience, recalling that the Pro•Stress Program was “a very positive and enriching experience” which allowed him to reflect on how he deals with stress in his daily life and learn practical strategies to promote a better balance between personal, academic, and professional demands. 

The student also emphasizes the quality of the content, the competence and availability of the team, and the welcoming environment throughout the program, considering it “useful, well-structured, and with concrete applications for daily life”. He recommends participation to any student who wants to better understand their stressors and develop tools to manage them in a more conscious and healthy way. 

Part of the Promotion and Prevention axis of UCP2 Mental Health, the program reinforces the commitment of the Catholic University of Pernambuco to promoting the mental health and well-being of its students, contributing to a more balanced and sustainable academic experience.