Promotion of employability is "crucial" to the success of mental health policies, says Andreia Cardoso
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stated in Ponta Delgada that the promotion of inclusion through employability is a "key" condition for the success of policies in the area of mental health.
"We work to detect these diseases at an early stage, we provide support, we fight for inclusion and against discrimination, we stimulate participation and promote employability; the latter being a crucial aspect for the inclusion of these people," said Andreia Cardoso. The Regional Secretary spoke at the opening session of the Seminar on Evaluation and Intervention in Mental Health.
"Regardless of all traditional issues concerning the work in mental health, our focus should be primarily on this area, promoting inclusion through employability, which is a key aspect to achieve success in the policies we all want to implement."
"Together we can make a difference and give all people struggling to manage their mental condition an opportunity to access the happy and fulfilled life they deserve," stated the Regional Secretary.
In her speech, Andreia Cardoso stressed the importance of the topic under consideration at this meeting, recalling that "infectious epidemics are now largely controlled and begin to give way to the endless struggle of humanity to find their causes and cures.
However, public understanding, treatment and prevention of mental illness have not registered the same level of progress since the beginning of modern history."
"Mental disorders are among our most critical health problems. They occur more frequently, affect more people, require longer treatments, cause more suffering to the families of patients, monopolise more human resources and are one of the critical points of families' finances more than any other medical condition," said the Regional Secretary.
Andreia Cardoso stressed that "people with mental health problems not only face the struggle to manage their condition or the lack of means to do so, but also a stigma." Therefore, "we must demonstrate our respect for all those who go through similar situations by doing our best as a society to reflect on this matter and being aware of our role."