The President of the Portuguese Institute of Physiotherapists considers that "(...) despite the legislative measures, the responses implemented are still insufficient, with remarkable geographical asymmetries and there is a clear lack of health professionals integrated in the mental health teams, as well as an omission of the inclusion of physiotherapists in these teams".
In a message video for the conference "Current and Future Challenges for Physiotherapy in Mental Health", organised by the Portuguese Association of Physiotherapists APFISIO, António Lopes underlined that, although Physiotherapists and other health professionals may be unaware of the role and benefits of intervention, the scope of Physiotherapy practice in Mental Health and Psychiatry "is holistic, eclectic and dynamic - as it is constantly informed by evidence - and, as such, is able to respond to the health needs of people and society."
In the intervention, transmitted on the 22nd of October, which took place in the Escola Superior de Saúde - Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, the President of the Board of Physiotherapy António Lopes made a presentation on the various dimensions of the work of Physiotherapy in Mental Health and on the specific theoretical, practical and interpersonal skills that Physiotherapists should have, mentioning that one of the reasons for the benefits of the Physiotherapy interventions not always reaching the users with mental health problems is the lack or inadequate training of Physiotherapists in this area.
Despite this, according to the declarations presented at the time of registration in the Order, of the more than nine thousand already registered, "around 700 physiotherapists state that they have obtained additional qualifications in the area of mental health, and around 600 physiotherapists state that they have, or have had, clinical activity in mental health".
In order to improve this panorama, he underlined the commitment of the Order of Physiotherapists to promote the access to physiotherapy care in the area of mental health, to support and value those who already work in this area and to study solutions, together with the Higher Education Institutions. He also recalled, in this context, the process of creating a framework for Physiotherapy professional specialties in Portugal, which is currently underway, guaranteeing: "We will work to promote Physiotherapy in Mental Health!
Month: October 2022
Portuguese Physiotherapists Order marks the World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on 10 October, a date established by the World Federation for Mental Health (WHOF). Today, the World Health Organisation also recognises and marks this day. This year's theme is "Making Mental Health and well-being a global priority".
O World Mental Health Report of the WHO, published in June 2022, revealed that even before the pandemic, in 2019, around 1 billion people were struggling with some form of mental disorder.
Acting in Mental Health Physiotherapy
In this World Mental Health Day, the Board of the Order salutes the work developed by Physiotherapists in the area of Mental Health.
In Portugal, from 8905 Physiotherapists registered in the Order, 693 refer having obtained additional qualifications in Mental Health and 598 refer having clinical activity in Mental Health (graph 1. distribution by districts). There are also 185 physiotherapists with additional qualifications and clinical activity in Mental Health, according to the information extracted from the registration form.
Note: data does not include members who have suspended or cancelled their membership.
Mental Health Physiotherapy is a transversal and specific area of Physiotherapy, which operates in different health, mental health, psychiatric and psychosomatic medicine environments. It aims to optimise wellbeing through health education strategies and the promotion of 1) body awareness, movement and emotions 3) functionality, 4) exercise and physical activity, always integrating the physical and mental and relational dimensions.
Physiotherapy can act on Mental Health, namely on the relationship between somatic disorders and psychological problems (sleep disorders, fear related to pain, psychological stress and depressed mood associated with a clinical condition) in the relationship between mild mental disorders and major chronic non-communicable diseases (anxiety and mild depression associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer); in the relationship between somatic disorders and mild mental health disorders (depression associated with chronic pain post-traumatic stress disorder associated with fibromyalgia and anxiety associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and in the specialised approach to severe mental illness (major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and addictive behaviours and addictions) in psychiatric units/hospitals.