“Portugal records, on average, – numbers that have remained constant with a slight decrease – three suicides per day,” stated Ana Matos Pires, a member of the National Coordination of Mental Health Policies, involved in the establishment of the National Suicide Prevention Line.
This line was created at the beginning of 2024, through a law passed in parliament, aimed at preventing suicide and self-harming behaviors. It is now operational following the publication of its regulations last week.
Ana Matos Pires emphasized that ensuring the quality of the new line, which will operate 24 hours a day throughout the year, “is mandatory,” given that it will be staffed by professionals trained in mental health and suicidology, such as clinical and health psychologists and specialized nurses in mental health and psychiatry.
According to her, a flowchart was developed to determine, if necessary, the referral of callers to 1411, which may be directed to the Urgent Patients Guidance Center or INEM in situations of imminent risk, but also to emergency services or primary care consultations.
“The line is not a consultation, nor a clinical follow-up line,” explained the member of the National Coordination of Mental Health Policies, noting that the experience of the French national line, created in 2022, was taken into account.
Although integrated into the SNS 24 line and coordinated with its psychological counseling service, the suicide prevention line will operate autonomously, starting today, World Suicide Prevention Day, with its own identity and number. Its coordination will be the responsibility of the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (SPMS).
All personal and clinical information provided by users will be treated confidentially, in accordance with personal data protection legislation, as indicated by the regulation.
