BALANCE Project promotes a theatre play on mental health for young people
On April 8, 2026, the headquarters of Cáritas Coimbra hosted the theatre play “Every Brilliant Thing”, featuring Joana Pupo and Catarina Sobral from the Associação Mente de Cão. The performance was attended by around 40 young people from the Leisure Activity Centres and the Youth Residential Home, social responses of Cáritas de Coimbra.
As part of the implementation of activities under the European BALANCE project, in which Cáritas de Coimbra is an official partner, this initiative aimed to address issues related to mental health and its impact on young people and their families. It also sought to reinforce the role of culture and the arts as key tools in promoting mental health among younger generations.
Through an interactive approach, the performance actively engaged the audience, providing a unique experience marked by various dynamics and participatory moments. The play ends with a message of strength and hope for the audience, encouraging reflection on everything that makes life so extraordinary. This production is supported by the Portuguese Republic – Ministry of Culture, through the Garantir Cultura Programme, and holds the quality seal of the National Mental Health Programme.
The BALANCE project aims to promote mental health among young people aged 13 to 18. It is funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Union and involves four partners: Cáritas Coimbra (Portugal), the Intermunicipal Community of Coimbra Region (Portugal), Fundació Ajuda i Esperança (Spain), and Fundesplai (Spain), which is the coordinating entity.
