Children’s Mental Health

Promoting mental health and healthy childhood development.

Mental health is a fundamental dimension of well-being, enabling the individual to cope with the normal stresses of life, to work productively, and to make a positive contribution to their community. However, 35-50% of people with serious mental health problems do not receive treatment.

It is also estimated that between 8% and 14% of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental disorder, with 50% of mental disorders in adults beginning before the age of 14.

In childhood, mental health is particularly critical and linked to personality development, emotional and relational management skills, the ability to learn, and the biological tools for a healthy life.

Mental health problems disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, those living in poverty, babies and children exposed to abuse or neglect, and new mothers at risk of depression, made worse as a result of COVID-19. Anxiety and depression disorders can have profound and long-term effects, not only on the individual but also on their children, reinforcing a cycle of mental illness and social disadvantage.

Prevent mental illness
Improve child optimal development
PREVENT THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY

Growing Minds

The Growing Minds initiative aims at promoting mental health and childhood development by empowering institutions, professionals and carers.

It also aims to help mitigate risk factors and enhance protective factors of mental health and introduce positive changes in the lives of children and their families.

We support innovative, high-potential projects that tackle the complex challenges faced by children. We also support the well-being and resilience of families, particularly those at risk, to make sure that every child can have and has the best possible start in life.

Maternal and infant health

Maternal mental health is crucial for the neurobiological development of the child. Supporting mental health during pregnancy and postpartum is vital not only to prevent future problems, but also to bring long-term benefits for the child’s health, education and social well-being.

Nurturing and attachment

Bonds of trust between carers and children are crucial for healthy development. The absence of these bonds can result in developmental risks and emotional and behavioural problems. We seek to strengthen parent-child relationships up to the age of three in order to increase the chances of success.

Childhood adversity

Adversity in childhood can have a profound influence on future mental health. Art and culture are powerful tools in this approach, with proven benefits for the cognitive, emotional and physical development of children between the ages of 3 and 12.

PROJECTS	End date
Be a mom – improve maternal mental health and prevent postpartum depression Using an innovative approach based on a universal digital screening platform and coping strategies inspired by cognitive-behavioural techniques. Area of intervention: Maternal and Child Health Location: Central and Alentejo Region Promoter: Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (University of Coimbra)	Sep 2025
Ma(t)er – train healthcare and social welfare professionals to identify, prevent and work in the area of perinatal mental health Focusing on the risk of symptoms of postpartum depression. Includes the flagging, training, monitoring and discussion of cases through a digital pathway. Area of intervention: Maternal and Child Health Location: Alentejo Region Promoter: Comprehensive Health Research Centre (University of Évora)	Dec 2025
Primeiros 1000 dias – preventing postpartum depression and behavioural problems in children Offering family support from pregnancy to the first stages of a child’s life, including interactions between the mom-to-be and the family setting, and between the parents and the baby. Area of intervention: Maternal and Child Health Location: Belmonte, Covilhã and Fundão Promoter: Centro Hospitalar Universitário da Cova da Beira and the City Councils of Belmonte, Covilhã and Fundão	Oct 2025
Quanto mais cedo, Melhor – intervention to prevent mental health problems in vulnerable families Making mental health support groups available before and after childbirth, along with parenting programmes focused on improving maternal mental health and nurturing bonds of trust between mother and child. Area of intervention: Maternal and Child Health Location: Porto Promoter: ACES Porto Oriental and Associação Vida Norte	Dec 2026
Co-Action Against Adversity – a collaborative community model for dealing with children’s mental health Integrating education, health and protection. Includes mental health screening and intervention for socially vulnerable children. Area of intervention: Bonding and Development Location: Guimarães and Cascais Promoter: University of Minho, ApsiMinho, CIPsi, City Councils of Guimarães and Cascais	Sep 2026
Pais de Pequeninos – promoting parenting skills in early childhood in vulnerable environments Forming bonds of trust and fostering children’s social and emotional development, using a universal access model and specialised face-to-face intervention. Area of intervention: Bonding and Development Location: Douro, Central and Dão-Lafões Regions Promoter: Instituto de Apoio à Criança, INEM, Centro Hospitalar Tondela Viseu, Centro Hospitalar de Leiria, the Portuguese Red Cross, CPCJ, ComDignitatis, Associação Viver em Alegria, and the City Councils of Mangualde and Viseu	Sep 2026
Parentalidade DROPI – promoting parenting skills and strong attachment relationships in at-risk families Adaptation of the DROPI parenthood programme to at-risk families, including single-parent families, victims of neglect and domestic violence, who have been flagged for promotion and protection measures. Area of intervention: Bonding and Development Location: Guimarães, Porto, Faro, Vila do Conde, Arouca and Lisbon Promoter: Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Porto), City Councils of Arouca and Vila do Conde	Sep 2025
Capacitar Pais Adotivos – psychological intervention to support the post-adoption phase Promoting emotional regulation and parent-child relationships and reducing parental stress, based on the principles of conscious parenting. Area of intervention: Bonding and Development Location: Portugal Promoter: Instituto da Segurança Social IP, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, Associação ProChild CoLab	Sep 2026
Strengthening Affective Bonds – positive parenting and bonding through video feedback Brief intervention through video feedback for the carers of children, promoting positive parenting, sensitive discipline and the parent-child bond. Area of intervention: Bonding and Development Location: Lisbon Promoter: ISPA – University Institute	Oct 2027
Positive families, healthy children – incorporation of Triple P in intervention with families Triple P, intensive positive parenting intervention aimed at families exposed to factors of vulnerability, is incorporated in the work carried out with parents by family support service professionals. Area of intervention: Bonding and Development Location: Bragança Promoter: University of Porto	Dec 2027
Circle of Security – preventive model for the promotion of security in family bonding Application of a model of universal prevention that introduces and promotes security in bonding structures among families. Area of intervention: Bonding and Development Location: Lisbon Promoter: Paediatric Studies Centre at D. Estefânia Hospital	Sep 2025
Music and Motherhood – music as intervention for mothers with postpartum depression Artistic intervention for mothers with postpartum depression, led by singing professionals, with the aim of promoting mental wellbeing in mothers and strengthening family bonds. Area of intervention: Bonding and Development Location: Lisbon, Loures, Odivelas Promoter: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública	Oct 2027
Dialogues with parents – Parent training based on the Touchpoints model Training, based on the Touchpoints Model, for parents with children up to the age of 6 in situations of risk or with cognitive difficulties. Area of intervention: Bonding and Development Location: Coimbra, Aveiro Promoter: Fundação Brazelton Gomes-Pedro	Sep 2025
Galerias Comunitárias – art and children in action Art workshops, community galleries, cultural visits and psychological support to promote the social and emotional development, self-esteem and mental health of children in social housing districts. Area of intervention: Adversities in infancy Location: Porto Promoter: Serralves Foundation, Porto Domus Social	Aug 2025
Roteiros DROPI: mental health and interiority – promoting the well-being and mental health of children and communities Integrated, holistic and territorial approach, through artistic dance practices and social-emotional development. Area of intervention: Adversities in infancy Location: Vale de Cambra Promoter: Vale de Cambra City Council, Bodybuilders, 2Singular, Associação de Amigos de Pontemieiro	Sep 2025
Sons que abraçam – musical activities to stimulate children’s cognition, focus, emotional regulation, and creativity Helping children to express themselves, while developing focus, concentration, cognitive stimulation, emotional regulation, relaxation and creativity. Area of intervention: Adversities in infancy Location: Sines Promoter: Sines City Council, Escola das Artes do Alentejo Litoral	Jul 2026
Connect: Green and Blue Social Prescribing for Children and Families – Social Prescribing of activities in natural and water environments for children at risk Improving the mental and physical health of children at risk and promoting social bonds, allowing them to connect with natural and water environments, through Social Prescribing carried out by the Local Health Unit. Area of intervention: Adversities in infancy Location: Cascais, Oeiras, Almada, Lisbon Promoter: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública	Dec 2026

Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

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Children’s Mental Health

Mental health is a fundamental dimension of well-being, enabling the individual to cope with the normal stresses of life, to work productively, and to make a positive contribution to their community. However, 35-50% of people with serious mental health problems do not receive treatment.