World Mental Health Day: UCP2 Mental Health promotes access to mental health services
In 2025, the WFMH established the theme "Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies", reinforcing the premise that all people should have access to mental health services, regardless of their situation.
The overall purpose of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness about mental health and promote the wellbeing of all individuals.
In line with this objective, UCP2 Mental Health offers Universidade Católica students a range of initiatives based on prevention, promotion and psychological support. In the area of promotion and prevention, workshops are developed that focus on emerging topics tailored to students' needs, with the aim of increasing knowledge about mental health issues and problems, developing self-care and psychological first aid strategies, and promoting early identification of warning signs, encouraging behaviours that seek timely help.
In terms of psychological support, psychology consultation services are available on all four campuses for students with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Whenever the situation warrants it, and in order to ensure an integrated response tailored to the complexity of the needs identified, students may be referred to external partner health institutions. To date, protocols have been established with Projeto Homem, Recovery IPSS, Taipas Termal, Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Porto, Casa de Saúde da Boavista and JS Clínica Médica. On the Braga, Lisbon, and Viseu campuses, psychological support services are also available to Católica faculty and staff. To date, protocols have been established with Projeto Homem, Recovery IPSS, Taipas Termal, Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Porto, Casa de Saúde da Boavista, and JS Clínica Médica.
In addition to the initiatives promoted by this integrated system, the academic (and non-academic) community can also use helplines such as the Linha Nacional de Prevenção ao Suicídio (1411) and SOS Voz Amiga (213544545).
Remember: asking for help is an act of courage!