Ame Sua Mente na Escola is a mental health literacy training program aimed at educators and professionals in the public school system, with the goal of strengthening mental health care in the school environment. This initiative expands the knowledge of strategies for managing, preventing, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental disorders. In addition to supporting student well-being, it also seeks to care for the mental health of educational professionals, contributing to the creation of healthier and more inclusive schools.
Created in 2020 by Instituto Ame Sua Mente, the program was developed with the support of Associação Umane and Instituto ABCD, which helped to structure an effective, scalable, and sustainable model. Since then, it has impacted thousands of educators across the country, offering training based on scientific evidence and adapted to the realities of Brazilian schools.
Currently, Ame Sua Mente na Escola is present in the states of São Paulo, Paraná, and Pará, expanding its reach and impact every year.
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- 75% of mental disorders begin before the age of 24;
- 50% of cases emerge by age 14.
- In Brazil, only 20% of young people diagnosed with mental disorders seek treatment.
Mental health problems in children and adolescents who lack adequate support can lead to learning delays, grade retention, school dropout, and long-term impacts in adulthood. For these reasons, training educators is a key preventive strategy for promoting mental health and reducing inequalities.
How does the course work?
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The training is fully online and free, organized into eight self-paced modules hosted on an e-learning platform.
In addition to the core training content, the program includes synchronous classes led by mental health specialists from the Institute (psychiatrists and psychologists). These sessions help bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Certification
- Available to participants who successfully complete the course.
Scientific Foundation
- Content developed by experts in mental health and education.
Practical Application
- Strategies and tools (podcasts, lesson plans, games, and hands-on materials) that educators can immediately apply in their daily school routines.
Alignment with the BNCC
- Directly aligned with the socio-emotional skills defined in Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC, Brazil’s National Common Core Curriculum).
See the results of the survey conducted with participants during the project’s three years.
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82,2% of schools identified positive changes in the way the topic of mental health is addressed after going through the project;
98% would recommend the training to a fellow educator;
86,6% of participating schools attributed to the project a medium or high knowledge gain in mental health. Among schools with more staff members trained and/or greater exposure to the project, this percentage reaches 100%;
71,1% began identifying possible cases of mental health among students;
64,4% improved the way they manage and deal with cases;
61,7% transformed their perceptions of mental health.
Our Reach
São Paulo
São Paulo State Department of Education (SEDUC- SP)
For the past five years, Ame Sua Mente na Escola has been implemented and continues to operate in the public school system of the State of São Paulo, in partnership with the Department of Education (SEDUC-SP) and the School for the Training and Improvement of Education Professionals (EFAPE, Escola de Formação e Aperfeiçoamento dos Profissionais da Educação).
This initiative already reaches teachers, school administrators, teaching supervisors, and pedagogical coordinators in the system. The project is made possible by a pool of donors and has already benefited more than 3,000 schools.
Since 2024, it has also included students who are psychologists, thanks to the Institute’s unprecedented partnership with the Programa de Melhoria da Convivência e Proteção Escolar – CONVIVA SP (the Program for Improving School Coexistence and Protection – CONVIVA SP).
Paula Souza Center
In 2025, the Institute entered into a new partnership with the Paula Souza Center, responsible for training educators at the State Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation. As a result, Ame Sua Mente na Escola now also benefits teachers, administrators, and administrative staff at State Technical Schools (ETECs) and Technology Colleges (FATECs).
Paraná
In 2024, Ame Sua Mente na Escola arrived in the Southern region of the country. The initiative was made possible through a partnership with Fundação Itaú Social and the Paraná State Department of Education (SEED-PR).
This project aims to train professionals in the Department of Inclusive Education (DEIN, Departamento de Educação Inclusiva) and its regional technicians. Together, they develop collaborative training programs based on the main mental health challenges identified in the state system.
Upon completing the course, multiplier trainers begin to disseminate their knowledge throughout the education system. In addition, they take on the role of mobilizing the school community to build a culture focused on promoting mental health within the community.
Pará
In 2025, Ame Sua Mente na Escola arrived in the Northern region of the country. This initiative was made possible through a partnership with Fundação Itaú Social and the Paraná State Department of Education (SEDUC-PA).
This training is offered to all state public servants, with the aim of strengthening mental health care in the school environment. The course combines self-instructional distance learning (Moodle) and three synchronous classes taught by mental health specialists from the Institute.
Completed Projects
Ame Sua Mente na Escola in Santos
The program also impacted 85% of the municipal education system in the city of Santos through collaboration between the Institute and the city’s Municipal Department of Education.
Completed Projects
Ame Sua Mente na Escola in Santos
The program also impacted 85% of the municipal education system in the city of Santos through collaboration between the Institute and the city’s Municipal Department of Education.
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