Research
Implementation Science

The primary goal of this initiative is to evaluate the implementation of the Ame Sua Mente na Escola (Love Your Mind at School) project, developed by the Ame Sua Mente institute, which aims to promote mental health literacy among teachers using distance education strategies.

This program seeks to prevent and mitigate the impact of mental disorders on students, while also promoting mental health, enabling early identification, and expediting the referral of students with mental health disorders.

Teacher training in mental health is also intended to reduce the stigma associated with these issues and help educators manage related challenges in the classroom. Mental Health in Schools, which draws from strong local community involvement, examines the implementation of an intervention ecosystem that, in addition to training, leverages “Bússola” – a WhatsApp chatbot that provides support for issues related to self-harm and suicide.

The project also features a referral form to guide students to healthcare services, along with lesson plans, games, and various digital resources to assist educators in addressing mental health topics in the classroom. This suite of digital tools enables high-quality remote training at a low cost, making its expansion more practical and feasible.

An estimated 20% of children and adolescents face mental health conditions, yet many do not receive appropriate treatment. This leads to social challenges, including high school dropout rates and troubled interactions. The lack of knowledge about mental health remains a significant gap, and school-based initiatives have delivered promising results.