About the Self
Co-living in mental health
The About the Self is the first co-living space in Portugal dedicated to people with experience of mental illness.
Located in a "village"environment,with 47 individual or shared houses, we have a team of mental health professionals available to the community 24 hours a day, and a collaborative and positive methodology based on recovery practices,, empowerment and human rights. We promote therapeutic, artistic, and wellbeing experiences, fostering creativity, experimentation, discovery, and the building of life purposes.
Learn more about what we do on our website About the Self.
Some of our services
Programa Recovery Co-Living Programme
Therapeutic housing with an individualised intervention programme, therapeutic support – Case Manager, participation in activities scheduled weekly. The focus is on discovering life purpose, building goals and objectives through creative and experimental activities.
Community Programme
A weekly daytime programme of experiences guided by recovery practices,according to mental health determinants, therapeutic support – Case Manager, and development of an individualised intervention programme.
Caregiver Rest
Designed for people with experience of mental illness, allowing periods of actual relief/rest for caregivers; the aim is to reduce caregiver overload or the amount of care required and to enable the restoration of their energy, while ensuring that their care receives all necessary attention and specialised support, benefiting from wellbeing activities.
More information:
It is implemented in the Alcabideche social complex, in the municipality of Cascais, within a gated community, on a 12,600 m² plot, located in an area with good accessibility and surrounding infrastructure, with green spaces harmoniously distributed throughout the complex.
Double or single villas. Each villa is a T1 type with approximately 56 m² of gross area, comprising a bedroom, a bathroom, and a living room with a fully equipped kitchenette, fully furnished, with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and Meo TV service.
As common spaces, we have at our disposal the Leisure Villa, the Mindfulness Villa, the Open Art Studio Villa, the Dining Villa, the Multipurpose Activity Room, a Videotheque and Library, Indoor Pool, Rehabilitation Gym, and Deck with terrace.
At About the Self, living independently does not mean being alone. Each villa is designed to provide comfort, privacy, and security, with a support network always available to ensure that each resident feels protected and accompanied.
All villas are equipped with an internal telephone system and portable SOS devices, allowing immediate contact with the team whenever necessary. There is a 24-hour monitored reception, ensuring controlled access and the peace of mind of everyone living here.