Mental health promotion in a public school in southeastern Pará: experience report

Abstract

Considering that anxiety disorder is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in adolescence, considering the post-pandemic period and the demands that emerged in the psychology service at Campus Marabá Industrial (CMI) of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará (IFPA), along with the importance of actions for the prevention and promotion of mental health in the school environment, the objective was to describe the results obtained in offering a workshop organized by the psychology service at CMI/IFPA. The workshop aimed to inform students about stress and anxiety in adolescence, teach relaxation techniques, and provide psychoeducation on mental health care. This is an experiential report originating from a workshop with 1st-year high school students. The workshop was organized and conducted by psychology interns, under the guidance of the internship supervisor and psychologist at IFPA. The results showed an increased demand for psychology services from the students in the class, seeking information about emotional difficulties and requesting psychological assistance. Several students reported that they began discussing the topic more openly with reduced stigma. In conclusion, the work highlights the importance of psychology's role in the school environment, with a focus on prevention and promotion of mental health.