September Yellow and the importance of listening: an educational intervention in the school environment in the face of the persistent impacts of COVID-19 and contemporary challenges in adolescence

Abstract

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders and is strongly associated with suicidal behavior, especially when untreated, constituting a significant public health problem in Brazil. Despite the advances promoted by awareness campaigns, such as Yellow September, important barriers to prevention and care still persist, including stigma, misinformation, and difficulties in timely access to follow-up within the Unified Health System. This scenario became even more critical after the Coronavirus pandemic, which intensified psychosocial risk factors, especially among children and adolescents, impacting relationships, school routine, and emotional well-being. In this context, this article presents an experience report on actions developed by students from the Biological Sciences Teacher Education Program at the Federal Institute Farroupilha – São Vicente do Sul Campus/RS, members of the PET Biology and PIBID programs, during Yellow September 2025. The activities included a themed door, informational posters, and a “listening box” with anonymous participation from the academic community. The collected messages showed a predominance of empathetic and motivational content, suggesting that safe spaces for expression favor welcoming attitudes and the strengthening of support networks. It is concluded that simple and continuous educational interventions in the school environment can contribute to reducing stigma, encouraging the search for help, and consolidating permanent practices for the promotion of mental health and the valuing of life.