It is not enough to talk about the impact of the pandemic, to give more relevance to the rising problem of mental health. Already before Covid-19, all over the world and also in Portugal, mental health was almost always like the poor relative of health systems, often rendering the specialized and integrated care inaccessible for patients in need. The social stigma associated with mental disease has always made it even more difficult to face these problems head on. And we are talking about a reality increasingly present: according to the latest data, one-fifth of the Portuguese population suffers from mental diseases and our country is the fifth in the European Union with more cases of such pathologies, anxiety and depression being the most common. The World Mental Health Day , once again celebrated on October 10, serves precisely to say no to oblivion and intolerance, and to set the agenda of the political and health decision-makers all over the world: it is not enough to acknowledge that it exists, we need to do more. Luz Saúde group joins the date , this time in a very special way. In the context of its 20 years’ celebration, Luz Saúde added a new cause to the 20 causes it supports, this time the project Manicómio , chosen to give voice to those who wish to discuss mental health. Therefore, and in partnership with the project Manicómio, we are organizing a gathering in online format, under the title “Unwrap your mind – this is not a webinar: A discussion on new approaches in mental health” , next October 8, at Hospital da Luz Lisboa. The talk will be moderated by journalist Ana Sousa Dias and counts with the participation of Patrícia António (clinical psychologist of the Lisbon Alcohology Unit), Cláudia R. Sampaio (poet and visual artist), Matilde Horta e Costa (director of Corporate Affairs and Talent of Vieira de Almeida Society) and Ana Fontoura (director of the Social Responsibility Office at Fidelidade). Date and schedule: 8 October 2021, 1.00 p.m. Enrolment in the webinar (free of cost) On the Project Manicómio The project Manicómio was conceived by Sandro Resende and José Azevedo , founders of the Association of Creative and Artistic Development P28, where they give classes in plastic arts to patients of Hospital Júlio de Matos, also in Lisbon. The work resulted in several exhibitions, gathering artists with mental diseases and well-known names in the area, Portuguese and international, such as Emir Kusturika, Pedro Cabrita Reis, Jeff Koons and Jorge Molder, among others. The project Manicómio came into being in March 2019 with the main purpose to demystify the stigma associated with mental health , foster the employability of patients, and promote their social inclusion. The artists receive a scholarship , including meals, transport and remuneration, besides 70% of revenues resulting from the sale of the produced pieces and 90% of the workshops done. Manicómio has already won creativity contests , received the Award of Merit by the Ministry for Health, develops several art projects and counts with the support of the Tourism of Lisbon, the City Council of Lisbon, Parish Councils, and brands such as Central de Cervejas, Fidelidade, Herdade da Malhadinha and Arcádia. On Luz Saúde “20 years, 20 causes” The 20 th anniversary of Luz Saúde is being celebrated with several initiatives, at internal and external level. In this context, a large number of the actions envisaged in the program “20 years, 20 causes” will count with the direct involvement of collaborators and the group , for the benefit of Portuguese associations with work in different areas of intervention in society, from health to environment, inclusion and fight against poverty. Along its existence, Luz Saúde has been developing multiple sustainability and social responsibility activities . When celebrating 20 years, it could not fail to reinforce its commitment of collaboration with the communities serviced and the Portuguese society in general.
