José Carlos Santos has been appointed by the Board of Directors of SPMS, following a proposal from the National Coordination for Mental Health Policies, to lead a new initiative launched on September 10. This line operates in conjunction with the Psychological Counseling Service of the SNS 24 helpline.
The mental health and psychiatric nurse specialist, with a doctorate in Mental Health and a professorship at the Coimbra Nursing School, has significant experience in Suicidology, notably co-creating and coordinating the + Contigo Program.
“Started in 2008, this program aims to promote mental health and prevent suicidal behavior through interventions in schools and primary health care, targeting health professionals, adolescents, parents, teachers, and assistants. Since 2011, it also forms part of the Technical Council of the SOS Voz Amiga helpline,” according to SPMS.
José Carlos Santos served on the International Expert Panel of Horatio – European Association for Psychiatric Nurses, specializing in Suicidology from 2011 to 2018, and chaired the Portuguese Society of Suicidology between 2011 and 2013. He then joined its Scientific Committee that year.
“Since 2023, he has been the chairman of the General Assembly. He is also part of the Suicidology Section of the European Psychiatric Association (EPA),” they highlight.
He was part of the National Mental Health Council (2010-2016) and contributed to the Committee of Experts for developing the National Suicide Prevention Program 2013-2017.
Currently, he is part of the team responsible for the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
SPMS emphasizes that the National Line for Suicide Prevention and Psychological Support — 1411 represents “a step towards consolidating support networks and promoting immediate and specialized mental health responses,” aiming to strengthen “the message that seeking help is the first step to protecting health and emotional well-being.”
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If you are struggling with a mental illness, have self-destructive thoughts, or simply need someone to talk to, you should consult a psychiatrist, psychologist, or general practitioner. You can also contact one of these entities (all calls ensure anonymity for both the caller and the responder):
Social support service of the Lisbon City Council
800 916 800 (24/7)
SOS Voz Amiga – Emotional support and suicide prevention line
800 100 441 (15:30 to 00:30, free number)
213 544 545 – 912 802 669 – 963 524 660 (16:00 to 00:00)
Conversa Amiga (15:00 to 22:00)
808 237 327 (15:00 to 22:00, free number) | 210 027 159
SOS Estudante – Emotional support and suicide prevention line
239 484 020 – 915246060 – 969554545 (20:00 to 01:00)
Telefono da Esperança
222 080 707 (20:00 to 23:00)
Telefone da Amizade
228 323 535 | 222 080 707 (16:00 to 23:00)
Psychological Counseling of SNS 24 – At SNS24, the contact is handled by health professionals
808 24 24 24 then select option 4 (24/7)
National Line for Suicide Prevention and Psychological Support (24/7)
1411
