A group of adults smiling and posing together after attending the Mantente REAL training.

GCAHR Hosts Mantente Real Training in Montevideo, Uruguay

October 20, 2025

The Global Center for Applied Health Research (GCAHR), in collaboration with the Universidad Católica del Uruguay (UCU), held a Mantente Real (Keepin’ it REAL) Training of Trainers (ToT) on September 25–26, 2025, in Montevideo, Uruguay.

The two-day workshop was organized in response to UCU’s interest in implementing Mantente Real as part of a future prevention and research initiative. Academic sponsors included Dr. Carlos Libisch Recalde (UdlaR), Dr. María Eugenia Fernández, and Dr. Marcela Carballo from UCU.

A total of 22 participants attended the training, representing a diverse range of institutions including UCU doctoral and master’s students, the Junta Nacional de Drogas, the Empezar de Nuevo treatment center, the Rosales Foundation, the Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación (INR) of Uruguay’s Ministry of the Interior, and several private educational centers.

Led by Beatriz Vega (GCAHR) and Dr. Hilda García (Colegio de la Frontera), the hands-on training featured interactive sessions, video reviews, and practice lessons designed to build participants’ facilitation skills.

Participants provided highly positive feedback, expressing enthusiasm about applying the Mantente Real curriculum in their organizations and classrooms. The ToT represents a significant step toward expanding evidence-based youth prevention initiatives in Uruguay and strengthening regional collaboration in public health education.

A group of four women posing for a picture in front of a blue backdrop — Dr. Hilda García (Colegio de la Frontera Norte), Dr. Fiorella Bafundo, Director of International Affairs at UCU, Beatriz Vega, Program Coordinator at GCAHR, and Dr. María Eugenia Fernández, Professor in the Department of Psychology at UCU, during a tour of Universidad Católica del Uruguay (UCU).