Intervention of the President of the Portuguese Bar Association on Physiotherapy in Mental Health

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!