The provision of a nutritionist check and the free distribution of menstrual hygiene products were also approved.

"We are going to strengthen the Cuida-te+ program, which is a program that currently exists for young people up to 25 years old, which exists within the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth, what we are going to do is extend it to 30 years old, reinforcing the number of psychologists, nutritionists and nurses", said the Minister of Youth and Modernization, at the end of the Council of Ministers meeting, in Braga.

Margarida Balseiro Lopes stressed the importance of finding a solution for young people "in terms of mental health", making it clear that none of the new measures intends to replace the response of the National Health Service (SNS).

"There is a commitment to strengthen this dimension, the dimension of the SNS, without harming this axis, nor replacing the Program for the Promotion of Mental Health in Higher Education", which comes into force in the next academic year, she stressed.

The minister explained that the Cuida-te+ program "currently has 10 psychologists".

"With this reinforcement that we are making, and being able to reach the entire country, we will support young people and we will guarantee 100 more professionals. In Higher Education, we have been working with the Order of Psychologists and we will guarantee psychology consultations with the allocation of a psychologist check", she stressed.

According to Margarida Balseiro Lopes, from the next academic year, psychologist checks will give access to more than 100,000 consultations.

"Young people who are flagged as people who want to access psychology consultations will not be waiting forever", she said.

Regarding the area of nutrition, the minister said that the Government, in partnership with the Order of Nutritionists, will guarantee 50,000 nutrition consultations.

"In all Higher Education institutions, in total, there are only five nutritionists. This is a response in terms of public health that we want to give", she stressed.

Also from the next academic year, personal hygiene products will be made available free of charge in health centers and schools, according to Margarida Balseiro Lopes, who considered this to be "the most basic social justice".

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