The NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) hosted a workshop on burnout prevention, an initiative of the Bandua Project, as part of the Programme for the Promotion of Mental Health in Higher Education. The session was organised by Ana Rita Goes, a professor at NOVA NSPH and coordinator of the Master’s in Health Promotion, and psychologists Catarina Pedro and Sandra Mateus, from the Social Action Services of NOVA University Lisbon (SAS NOVA).
The workshop, which took place on 28 March, aimed to make participants aware of the signs of burnout and empower them with effective strategies and tools to prevent it, through a moment of pause and interaction.
‘Universities should be privileged contexts for health promotion, responding to the needs of their community in a holistic way. Mental health should be a concern in everything we do, including the way we organise curricula and timetables, the spaces and activities we provide for those who study and work here and the specific support we offer,’ Ana Rita Goes stressed.
The session began with a series of icebreaker activities, promoting an atmosphere of sharing and group reflection. Throughout the event, there were participatory dynamics that allowed participants to identify early signs of burnout and explore practical tools for dealing with stressful situations.
One of the highlights of the session was the practical presentation of various relaxation techniques, which provided participants with concrete examples of stress management in everyday life. At the end of the workshop, each participant was challenged to develop a personal action plan to prevent burnout, reinforcing the importance of self-managing mental health in the academic and professional context.
‘This session is one of many activities being implemented as part of the Bandua Project, which aims to provide NOVA students with a more favourable environment for their mental health,’ adds Ana Rita Goes.
The Bandua Project is part of a wider initiative by NOVA University Lisbon for the well-being and mental health of its students, with more than 70 actions planned to create a healthier and more inclusive academic environment. By hosting this workshop, NOVA NSPH reaffirms its commitment to promoting public health and the well-being of the academic community.
