Latest news and stories about mental health in Portugal for expats and residents.
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With the arrival of artificial intelligence, it is impossible not to think about the extent to which it will dominate our lives and the dangers that come with it. Could AI, for example, trigger emotional symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or stress?
It is an alarm system that involves physical symptoms, even if the origin of the pain is psychological. “But this idea should not be used in a stigmatising way,” argues health psychologist Sónia Bernardes.
It is always with renewed enthusiasm that we celebrate Brain Awareness Week every March. In recent decades, neuroscience has made extraordinary progress, allowing us to observe and model the human brain in action. However, this has also led to the proliferation of 'neuro-business'—the misuse of scientific terms like 'dopamine' or 'neuroplasticity' to sell unproven coaching methods, motivational packages, and quick-fix solutions for complex mental health issues. The author warns against these 'neuro-experts' who lack rigorous scientific training and emphasizes that true scientific advancement requires years of study, clinical trials, and critical thinking, rather than weekend certifications.
Neurologist Servane Mouton has written a book to warn about the dangers of screens, from sedentary lifestyles to mental health. She advocates for a different model to escape current networks that manipulate and addict users.
Mental health is not about having no conflicts or living in a state of zen. Mental health is not about having no anxiety or never being sad. Mental health is not about reading a tutorial on gratitude, empathy, or self-esteem.
Expert advice on how to support a relative suffering from dementia who exhibits hoarding behaviours.
The association's project is being developed at a school in Maia and intervenes with students who suffered from chronic boredom in class, school isolation, addictions, or who were self-harming.
Online counselling creates a flexible and accessible way to engage in meaningful therapeutic work, and all from the comfort of your own familiar surroundings. It allows you to begin your The post Online counselling and its transformative benefits appeared first on Portugal Resident.
In 2025, there were nearly 3,500 requests for support in Portugal for children and young people, mainly related to high levels of psychological distress, loneliness, suicidal ideation, pressure at school regarding grades, anxiety over choosing a career path, and bullying.
In 2025, the Child Support Institute in Portugal recorded nearly 3,500 requests for assistance from children and young people, primarily due to psychological distress, loneliness, suicidal ideation, academic pressure, career anxiety, and bullying. Anabela Reis, from the institute, noted that many adolescents aged 14 to 18 reach out via phone or WhatsApp to avoid the embarrassment of speaking to their parents. There is a concerning rise in self-harming behaviours among children as young as 12 and 13. In response to recent weather events, such as Storm Kristin, the institute has launched a new online crisis psychological support service for the central region of Portugal.
High levels of psychological distress, loneliness, suicidal ideation, academic pressure regarding grades, anxiety over choosing a career path, and bullying are the primary reasons for these requests.
Many adolescents use the telephone helpline, and the growing trend has been via WhatsApp because they are ashamed to ask their parents for help.
The guest on the latest episode of Alta Definição is comedian Vasco Coutinho, known to morning radio listeners for his character Tia Bli. In an intimate conversation with Daniel Oliveira, he recalls the years he spent in a seminary in Rome, explains how the prejudices of the upper-class 'betos' ended up fueling his humor, and also reveals the depression he faced until he was able to fully accept his sexuality. “One day on the way to my parents' house, with the road empty, I thought: ‘I could just swerve the steering wheel now and it would all be over’”, he confesses. Discover his story of faith, identity, and acceptance in the podcast version of the program.
There is an increase in requests for help due to “high psychological distress,” often related to pressure from grades and social media pressure.
Many of the requests come from adolescents aged 14 to 18 via telephone and WhatsApp, due to “pressure at school regarding grades,” “anxiety over professional career choices in the 9th and 10th grades,” “feelings of loneliness,” “suicidal ideation,” and bullying.
On World Sleep Day, we talk to psychologist Teresa Rebelo Pinto about the importance of sleeping well and what habits we can adopt to improve our sleep.
It is during adolescence that the impact of rumination is greatest, which leads us to reflect on how modern parenting focuses too much on emotions.
In Portugal, 4.9 million people are active in online gambling and betting. For some, it becomes an addiction that brings debt and lies: “I thank God for having hit rock bottom.”
Psychologist João Nuno Faria explains the consequences of excessive screen time.
Faced with the current global polycrisis, the algorithmic manipulation of our emotions represents a serious challenge. If you want to break this cycle, research suggests several practical steps.
“O Lugar da Incerteza” by Patrícia Reis enters the world of mental health, exploring the lives that fill a psychiatrist's work and his own.
The person in charge explains that the higher number of calls during Christmas may be due to it being a period of longing, a period of greater conflict, and a period of increased isolation for some.
A listener feels exhausted by an obsessive relationship with work. They wake up in the early hours reviewing tasks and feel that this is sabotaging their family life.
Whether you are navigating the complexities of expat life, seeking to heal past wounds, or simply looking for your next chapter of purpose, having a therapist who understands your cultural The post Clinical Psychology & Holistic Coaching in the Algarve appeared first on Portugal Resident.
