We at Espaço SER had a thought-provoking concern: how to prevent and alleviate the effects of anxiety and depression in children and young people, before they start to do emotional damage?

That was our starting point., partner with schools, share our experience, which has yielded very positive results. And thus our HELP FOR LIFE program was born and the Swiss NGO promptly embraced it.

Annually, 9 public and/or private schools are selected and we intervene on dates and times previously scheduled with the Coordination. There are 150 young people from 14 a 18 years per school, that in a morning or afternoon, participate in an experience.

We take one of the energy practices that are successfully worked on at Espaço SER: Tai Chi e/ou Yoga e/ou Kung Fu. We talk to students about the issue of depression, anxiety and the benefits those practices bring to the balance of body and mind. After this explanation, the activity begins with the students.. These practices encourage self-knowledge, concentration, serenity, energy, it means that, the benefits are numerous.

An individual psychological welcome, on the same day of the intervention, aimed at students indicated by the Coordination and/or those who come to us during interventions, also part of the program. The main idea is to inform and guide students/relatives about a possible treatment to be done.

And for the teachers, coordination, management and family, a lecture is given addressing the issue of mental health care, depression/anxiety/mental disorders, etc. Knowledge is power! It is essential to be aware of these manifestations and the signs that people show, so that as soon as possible, they can be referred for treatment. The work carried out by the NGO (therapeutic protocols), the pillars that guide us, the success stories, etc., will , will be commented.

The goal we aim for, through this program, is to show the importance of including Integrative and Complementary Practices in the regular curriculum of schools, from an early age. We strongly believe that this measure will enormously, benefit, students and also the faculty, promoting emotional balance throughout the school community, as well as the prevention of mental illness.

In the years of 2021 and 2022 we take integrative practices to more than 2.000 youth from public and private schools.