ALAGOAS – “Alagoas launches Student Heart program to strengthen emotional health in schools and combat violence”

On March 25, 2024, the state of Alagoas launched the Student Heart program, an initiative that aims to strengthen emotional health actions in schools. This program was developed by the State Department of Education (Seduc) and aims to work on the socio-emotional development of students, ensuring conditions for promoting mental health and the full social development of students.

According to data from the School Census, Alagoas was the second state in the country that invested most in the presence of psychologists in the school environment in 2023, significantly increasing the percentage of professionals working in public educational institutions. This initiative was highlighted in the newspaper O Globo, highlighting the importance of the actions of the Alagoas government.

The Student Heart Program relies on Seduc’s Strategic Center for Psychological Social Assistance (NEAPSA), made up of 80 professionals, 60 psychologists and 20 social workers. These professionals work in all state schools, carrying out listening actions, lectures, conversation circles and dynamics with students. They identify situations that require intervention and refer students to the appropriate support, such as the Guardianship Council and the Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS).

The Secretary of Education, Roseane Vasconcelos, highlighted the importance of the program, especially after the impacts of the pandemic, which weakened society and young people. The objective is to help students during this period of new discoveries and self-knowledge, providing emotional support and helping students’ integral development.

Given this scenario, Alagoas stands out as a national example in strengthening students’ emotional health, demonstrating the government’s commitment to promoting the well-being of young people and ensuring a healthy and welcoming school environment.