Helena Leal, the Councillor for Health at Funchal City Council, highlighted the importance of suicide prevention as a responsibility for the entire community. Speaking at the opening of a conference on the subject, Leal stressed that discussing suicide means discussing life, health, and hope.
"Suicide can be prevented," she stated, emphasizing the need to combat stigma and foster a culture of openness and support. The councillor outlined the municipality's health policy, which focuses on health promotion, combating isolation, and building close-knit networks, citing initiatives like the Senior University and municipal gyms.
Leal pointed out that these activities extend beyond the physical dimension, promoting social interaction and integration. "A more connected community is a community more capable of caring," she concluded, reinforcing that prevention is a shared responsibility among health services, schools, institutions, families, and local authorities.
