Portugal’s suicide prevention line handles over 25,000 calls
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Portugal’s National Suicide Prevention Line received 25,600 calls during its first year of operation.
The line began operating one year ago and sent approximately 600 urgent cases to the INEM emergency services. Women and young adults aged 18 to 29 contacted the line most often, but completed suicides occur more frequently among men and older adults. Clinical coordinators are now planning a new outreach campaign focused on these higher-risk groups.
They intend to partner with local councils, transportation services, and health centers to reach men and people over 65, as suicide rates are four times higher for men than women and increase sharply after age 65. The prevention line addressed issues including anxiety, depression, isolation, relationship problems, and emotional distress. The service answered 80% of incoming calls, leaving 6,400 unanswered due to technical issues or other reasons.
Most people contacted the line between 7 PM and 9 PM, with an average wait time of less than one minute. Currently, 70 professionals, psychologists and mental health nurses trained in suicidology, staff the service.
