World Mental Health Day: Say Yes to Your Well-being

If I break an arm, everyone asks how I am and if I need help. But what if I'm feeling sad every day? How would others react? Feeling sad or anxious for a long period should not be anyone's daily reality. This is why it is important to talk about mental health.

'The University of Coimbra has long invested in mental health and well-being, and we have many initiatives and tools available for the whole UC community, not just students,' explains Maria João Martins, clinical psychologist at the Social Services of the University of Coimbra (SASUC). Mental Health affects everyone. The Portuguese National Health Service describes it as “the foundation of general well-being, relating to cognitive and emotional quality of life or the absence of mental illness.”

SASUC Health Service offers a range of resources, from support for new students’ integration to prevention and intervention services addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, or insomnia. This includes pre-screening, clinical psychology appointments, medical consultations, and group sessions on topics like procrastination, insomnia, and anxiety. In 2024, nearly one-third of the population aged 16 or over reported symptoms of generalised anxiety, according to the National Statistics Institute.

“Emotional distress is not always a warning sign,” says Maria João Martins, clinical psychologist at SASUC. “It is normal to feel sad, upset or angry. But being constantly sad or anxious, avoiding important activities, or acting differently from usual can indicate a problem. Social isolation, unusual behaviours, aggression or passivity, and changes in sleep or eating patterns are also red flags that professional help may be needed.”

To mark World Mental Health Day, SASUC launched the Mental Health and Well-being Guide, an e-book offering practical tips and strategies to support healthy integration into university life and promote well-being across the entire UC community.

The slogan is not new, but it is always worth repeating: there is no Health without Mental Health.