Portugal’s suicide prevention line receives 25,000 calls
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Portugal’s National Suicide Prevention Line received approximately 25,600 calls in its first year of operation, with nearly 700 calls indicating immediate suicide risk.
The line, which began operating on September 10, 2025, World Suicide Prevention Day, is staffed by around 70 clinical psychologists and mental health nurses trained in suicidology. José Carlos Santos, the service’s clinical coordinator, described the call volume as “considerable” given the line’s newness and limited public awareness.
Women and young adults aged 18 to 29 contacted the 1411 helpline most often. The line answered around 80% of incoming calls, with an average wait time of 50 seconds, a performance Santos compared favorably to international standards. He noted that men were less likely to use the line, possibly due to difficulties expressing emotions or seeking help, but emphasized that asking for assistance is not a weakness.
Callers reported issues related to anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and relationship or family conflicts. Some people also called concerned about friends or family members, seeking guidance on how to help. The line experienced peaks in calls during November and December, coinciding with the holiday season, and again in July and August, potentially linked to isolation during those times.
Santos connected the high demand for the service to a broader context of mental health in Portugal, where studies suggest around 25% of the population experiences a mental health problem.
