Submitted by Comunicação DRI on Mon, 06/15/2026 - 21:21 | Editado por Comunicação DRI há 1 week.
Samuel Almeida
Article produced by João Henrique Ribeiro and published on UFOP's official website.
Professor Aisllan Assis, from the UFOP School of Medicine, participated in the 14th Ibero-American Congress of Qualitative Research (CIAIQ) 2025, held from July 15 to 17, at the Polytechnical Institute of Management and Technology (ISLA), in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. He presented the paper entitled "Promotion of Mental Health, Prevention of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Public Schools in Minas Gerais, Brazil: Interventions and Innovations" and conducted the workshop "Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Public Schools in Minas Gerais, Brazil: Innovative Practices and Qualitative Research Techniques in Health and Education".
His studies are part of the research project "Mental Health in Schools and Beyond”, an innovation in basic education funded by the Research Support Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais (Fapemig). The project is carried out in partnership with the Military Fire Department of Minas Gerais, the Regional Superintendence of Education of Ouro Preto and three state schools located in Ouro Preto, Mariana, and Itabirito.
The presentations in the congress provided qualitative and quantitative evidence on indicators of mental distress, suicidal ideation, and self-injurious behaviors among adolescents, teachers and the community of the three schools. The workshop presented the group technique "Mural of the Welcoming School", developed as part of the project. This approach combines conversation circle, active participation, the strengthening of care networks, practices and policies for mental health prevention and reception.
Under Aisllan's leadership, the project interdisciplinary team brings together 25 people, including faculty from four UFOP academic units, master's and doctoral students, public school research teachers, military firefighters, Ouro Preto Municipality civil servants, and a professor from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). The group has developed preventive interventions and active listening strategies that engage students, school administrators, and families, integrating mental health, education and safety within schools.
Professor Aisllan was also a member of the scientific committee and coordinated paper presentation sessions during the congress. According to him, this participation "reinforces UFOP commitment to the production of socially engaged knowledge, strengthens Ibero-American cooperation, and broadens the defense of schools as spaces of comprehensive care, paving the way for new international partnerships aimed at teacher training and the development of intersectoral public policies".
For more information about the congress, visit the website.
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