In the current situation of economic crisis, the containment of costs and the establishing of priorities based on cost-effectiveness criteria and based on evidence gain special relevance. The Psychological Intervention allows for a reduction in direct and indirect costs from health and disease and, in this sense, contributes to an improvement in the efficiency of health services. On the other hand, it allows for a substantial improvement in the health and quality of life of citizens which is reflected in an increase in productivity and a reduction in absenteeism from work.

The Order was invited by the President of Autoridade Nacional da Protecção Civil (National Authority for Civil Protection), Major-General Arnaldo Cruz, to attend this initiative which brings together specialists and intervention agents of this area. This seminar allowed for the sharing of experiences and the discussion of aspects related to Civil Protection, namely interventions in situations of emergency and catastrophe.

The Order was present at the Conference of Experts which took place in Brussels from the 20th to the 21st of September 2012. This conference involves experts from different area related to the Promotion of Health and the Prevention of Disease, namely Health Care, Companies, Schools, Sports and OAP Institutions. The main conclusions of the conference ‘Major health gains to be expected from psychology’, highlight the cost-effectiveness of psychological interventions in the different stages of the cycle of life, and also the contribution of Health Psychology in the Promotion of Health and the Prevention of disease: pathologies associated with the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and inadequate nutrition may be significantly reduced through strategies for the adoption of healthier life styles. Strategies for the prevention of disease reduce the occurrence of depression and anxiety in approximately 25%.

Since its installation, in 2009, to date, 2012, the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (OPP) has had a constant concern in confirming that its site is designed, developed and edited correctly (accessibility). The main objective is to allow all users, with or without disabilities (hearing, sight) to have equal access to the same information.

The President was present, on the 27th of September, at the Symposium “The Art of Aging Well”

The Board of the OPP was heard last 20th of September, at 12 p.m. in the Parliament, by the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Culture. This meeting was aimed at making the politicians present aware of 4 issues related to the intervention of psychologists in a school context.