This Wednesday morning, February 11, was a moment of celebration at Fernando Pessoa School Group, since the work developed by ninth graders was distinguished in the plastic arts competition promoted by the Portuguese Headache Society, Migra (patients association), and Lisbon Municipality, an initiative joined by Hospital da Luz. Besides shopping vouchers for the winners, Hospital da Luz offered the equipment and made the necessary adaptations to provide for a nursing office at the school. “Headache and migraine” were the theme of the contest launched near Lisbon schools in the end of last year. The idea, as reported by the neurologist Raquel Gil-Gouveia, arose in the context of the European Headache Federation, presided by her and held between 3 and 6 December. The participants themselves voted and elected the best works: the first by Martim Santos (work presented individually), the second one by Tomás Sereno, Carolina Amaral and Matilde Fonseca (Fernando Pessoa School), and the third by Clara Anema (seventh grader at Frei Gonçalo Azevedo School Group, in São Domingos de Rana, Cascais). “Headache is the main cause of neurological disability in the population, including among the youngest”, explained Raquel Gil-Gouveia during the award ceremony to winning students and participants. “We meant to harness the creativity of young students in an awareness action to these diseases and health literacy”, she added, reminding that this initiative also includes clarification sessions to be developed in middle schools of the district, in collaboration with Migra, the Portuguese Association of Patients with Headache and Migraine, Migra - Associação Portuguesa de Doentes com Enxaqueca e Cefaleias , (represented in the occasion by Rita Paizinho), and the Portuguese Headache Society (represented by Henrique Delgado ). The objectives are being met, as we could hear from the students themselves: “The yellow hammer”, that hits and causes red ‘cracks’ on the white head”, “represents headache, that affects concentration and reasoning, and can also cause nausea and vomit coming out of the mouth” , explained Tomás Sereno, describing his work with colleagues Carolina Amaral and Matilde Fonseca, under the guidance of visual education teacher, José Boto. Actually, Fernando Pessoa School students have competed with two more works, as explained by director Cristina Maurício, who thanked the support of Hospital da Luz and the remaining entities involved. “The involvement of science, education and art is an excellent way to draw attention to such an important topic as headache” , stressed on its turn Pedro Líbano Monteiro, Hospital da Luz Lisboa executive manager, which was also represented by executive director Rita Ferreira. “This initiative has allowed us, at the same time, to engage our students and get the best out of them. This way they become more complete and involved citizens in the life of the community”, reinforced Luís Nuno Ramos, director of Lisbon Municipality Education Department. Initiatives like this are a valuable tool to promote health among the community. Hospital da Luz appreciates the collaboration of all entities involved.
