It is a pioneer in the country and, last Friday, the Socio-Occupational Unit for Adolescents with mental health problems was inaugurated, a social equipment under the responsibility of ASMAL, which will respond to one of the most pressing needs in the Algarve region.
The building is located in the city of Loulé, in the Industrial Lot, next to the ASMAL Education, Training and Professional Integration Center (professional rehabilitation centre).
This social response aims to develop psychosocial rehabilitation programs for adolescents aged 13 to 17 years, with mental disorders and/or with developmental and structuring disorders of the personality, with a reduced or moderate degree of clinically stabilized psychosocial disability.
These programs are designed according to the specific situation of each adolescent, and the intervention of the Socio-Occupational Unit will be defined in close articulation with the mental health services for children and adolescents and with schools.
From the set of services and interventions aimed at the population in question, the following stand out: support in the area of rehabilitation, training in autonomy and development of socio-cognitive skills, in accordance with the functional program; psychosocial support and rehabilitation in activities of daily living; socio-occupational support, including psychoeducational, recreational and sporting activities; psychoeducational activities and training for family members and other caregivers; articulation with the school, including support and referral to professional training services; pedagogical, sociocultural and sporting activities in conjunction with schools, local authorities, cultural, sporting and recreational associations or other community structures; supervision in medication management; food; and hygiene and comfort care.
The work was co-financed by PRODER (Measure 3.2 – Improving the Quality of Life), with a contribution of 97.440 euros from the Municipality of Loulé. However, institutional support from the Municipality to ASMAL in the construction of its facilities is around 238 euros.
Vítor Aleixo, Mayor of Loulé, welcomed the completion of the work and its implementation in Loulé, which will serve the entire region. In this sense, he underlined the fact that this council “welcomes institutions and services that have a regional dimension and is also a polarizer of activities in the field and domain of health”.
"Mental health seems to be a poor relative of the various Health disciplines and, with this support, the City Council leaves a mark with something it identifies with and constitutes a differentiating element”, said the mayor, referring to the fact that this is probably the least supported area at national level.
As for the role of ASMAL in the social context, the mayor spoke of supporting companies and other employers in the field of employability of people with disabilities, "serving as an adjuvant for the full integration of those who already feel or are marginalized by society”.
The mayor also praised the professionals of this institution and “the good example in what is the defense of the essential values of life and which in one way or another are linked to two main pillars of human nature such as Education and Training”.
"From now on, Loulé and the neighboring municipalities will have, in articulation and interaction with our Social Intervention Services, equipment of an innovative and pioneering nature at national level in the context of mental health in children and adolescents", said Vítor Aleixo.
The mayor also expressed his willingness to collaborate and cooperate with ASMAL in all its actions, "as has happened over time and which is strengthened here and now".
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