Between 30 April and 27 May 2025, students at the Braga campus of the Portuguese Catholic University had the opportunity to take part in the First Cycle of Workshops on Mental Health Literacy and Psychological First Aid, organised as part of the UCP 2 Mental Health project. This cycle of workshops aimed to promote students' ability to identify warning signs and mobilise techniques that will enable them to effectively manage some of the difficulties that most often arise in the academic context.

A total of six sessions were organised on Mental Health, Performance Anxiety, Generalised Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Depression (two sessions), held in two editions, one during working hours and the other after work. The different sessions began with a theoretical component, where essential aspects and definitions of each of the topics were presented, including signs and symptoms or risk factors. This theoretical component was followed by practical activities aimed at self-awareness and training in the skills and strategies covered.

In total, 210 people took part in this cycle. From the participants' point of view, this first initiative revealed that UCP 2 Mental Health is an ‘incredible project, very enriching for the students’, providing an environment where ‘we learnt a lot and shared experiences’ (Joana Duarte, 2nd year Psychology undergraduate). On the other hand, Dominique Cardozo (2nd year Psychology undergraduate) highlights the dynamics of the sessions and the practical exercises, which helped her ‘unlock a lot of things in me’.

In the next academic year, the project will continue with various initiatives. Stay tuned!