Portugal is one of the European countries with the highest rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has also worsened the situation, as many people face isolation, stress, and uncertainty. To cope with these challenges, the Portuguese government and other institutions have increased the availability and accessibility of psychological counselling services, especially through telephone lines.
One of the main initiatives is the SNS 24 psychological counselling line, which was created in April 2020 in partnership between the Ministry of Health, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses. This line offers free and confidential psychological support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to anyone who needs it. The service is now also available in English, to cater to the growing number of foreign residents and refugees in Portugal.
Another example of psychological support available in English is the Expatica Counselling Service, which provides online therapy sessions with qualified and experienced therapists. This service is aimed at expats who may struggle with cultural adaptation, loneliness, or other issues related to living abroad.
Besides these services, there are also other psychological counselling lines offered by various entities, such as city halls, parish councils, universities, social solidarity institutions, and so on. These lines are supported by the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses, which provides training and discussion forums for the psychologists involved.
The increase in mental health care in Portugal is a positive sign of the recognition and importance of this issue, as well as the willingness to help those who suffer from it. However, there is still room for improvement, as the demand for psychological support often exceeds the supply, and the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems persist. Therefore, it is essential to continue to invest in prevention and education, as well as to provide emergency support and crisis lines for those in need.
Source: sns24.gov.pt, theportugalnews.com, expatica.com, apa.org
