Zélia Muggli, Invited Professor at the Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (IHMT NOVA) and researcher at the PPS-GHTM research group, represented GHTM | IHMT NOVA at the 9th International Pro-Inclusion Congress – National Association of Special Education Teachers, held in Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon from 23 to 25 July.
As part of the congress programme, Zélia Muggli presented the communication entitled “Roots in Motion – Socioeconomic and Migration Determinants of Mental Health Difficulties in Children”, which addressed the influence of social, economic and migration-related determinants on children’s mental health, particularly among those from migrant backgrounds.
Understanding the mental health of migrant children
The presentation highlighted the findings form cohort studies on the health profiles of immigrant children in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, coordinated by Maria do Rosário de Oliveira Martins, professor and Research Leader of PPS-GHTM research group.
These studies contribute to a better understanding of the health needs and challenges faced by children from migrant backgrounds, particularly within the social and cultural contexts in which they live, grow up and develop.
By bringing this research to a forum focused on inclusion and education, the presentation contributed to a broader discussion on the factors that shape children’s mental health and well-being, and on the importance of addressing health inequalities from an integrated perspective.
Strengthening dialogue for health equity and inclusion
GHTM’s participation in the congress provided an opportunity to strengthen the dialogue between researchers, educators and policymakers, thereby fostering the exchange of knowledge across different fields and professional contexts.
The discussions reinforced the importance of integrated approaches to health and inclusion, particularly those that recognise the social determinants of health and respond to the specific needs of children living in culturally diverse settings.
Through its research and engagement in multidisciplinary initiatives, GHTM | IHMT NOVA continues to promote health equity, inclusion and the well-being of migrant populations, by supporting evidence-based approaches to global and public health challenges.
