ISMT promotes debate on Deinstitutionalisation in Mental Health with international participation

2025-11-21

On the 21st of November, within the scope of the Master's degree in Social Work and coordinated by faculty member Sónia Ribeiro, ISMT hosted the seminar 'Mental Health and Social Inclusion: Pathways to Deinstitutionalisation in Portugal', bringing together specialists to discuss social inclusion strategies for people with mental illness.

On the 21st of November, the Instituto Superior Miguel Torga (ISMT) hosted the seminar "Mental Health and Social Inclusion: Pathways to Deinstitutionalisation in Portugal". The event, held within the scope of the Master's degree in Social Work and coordinated by faculty member Sónia Ribeiro, brought together specialists and professionals to discuss normative strategies and programmes focused on the social inclusion of people with mental illness.

The session began with the presentation "Deinstitutionalisation in Mental Health: concepts, evolution and challenges in Portugal", delivered by the coordinating faculty member, who framed the theme within the national context. Subsequently, practical experiences of community intervention were shared, featuring the "Memorizar Project" and the social inclusion methodologies in mental health developed by the Alma Sã Association. These interventions allowed students and attendees direct contact with social responses operating in the field.

The seminar was also distinguished by its international dimension, attended by a group of social workers from the Czech Republic, currently in Portugal under the ERASMUS Programme and hosted by the Senior University of Rio Maior. This exchange of knowledge culminated in a presentation by Marketa Nycova, a Czech social worker, who introduced the "Domov na Stribrnem Vrchu" (Silver Hill House) model. The speaker detailed the operations of this organisation, which offers comprehensive support to people with mental illness, integrating psychosocial support, housing, and rehabilitation.