In the 5th episode of MindCast, Susana Costa Ramalho, Clinical Psychologist, Lecturer at the Faculty of Human Sciences (FCH) and Coordinator of the Family Sciences Institute, discusses the importance of family, friendship and love relationships.

Susana Costa Ramalho emphasises that human and interpersonal relationships play a central role in the lives of all of us, contributing significantly to happiness, well-being and mental health. As social beings, we have an intrinsic need to relate, and the quality of these relationships is essential for personal development, thus inevitably influencing students' careers. 

The episode also addresses the crucial role of families and their rituals, which are essential for providing moments of cohesion, sharing and intimacy in the family, as well as fostering a sense of belonging to the group, provided they are carried out in a healthy and flexible way. 

They also highlight some warning signs to watch out for, as they can have a negative influence on relationships. These include manipulation and control, increased isolation on the part of one person, a lack of empathy and transparency, fickle behaviour within the relationship and a lack of reciprocity, among others mentioned in this episode. 

The pertinence of the university's role is also the subject of this conversation. The institution plays a vital role in providing spaces for meeting and sharing, promoting a culture of zero tolerance for unhealthy relationships and giving a voice to important issues, creating a culture of proximity and availability to others. 

Susana Costa Ramalho concludes the episode with an inspiring reflection, based on a Charlie Brown cartoon: "Taking care of each other is the most beautiful and important thing we can do." 

The next and final episode of this first season will be available on 11 July and will feature questions and answers from listeners. 

Find out more about the mental health consultations for the entire academic community here and listen to the remaining episodes of this season here. 

MindCast, a podcast about mental health, is the result of a partnership between the Social Responsibility Office and the Marketing Club of the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics.