Psychological counseling line answered almost 359 thousand calls

The SNS 24 psychological counseling line (LAP) has answered almost 359,000 calls since it was created in 2020, according to official data.

The line began operating on April 1, 2020, a month after the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in Portugal, however, analyzing the numbers of these five years, it was in 2024 that the largest number of calls were recorded.

In these first months there were even more calls, predicting a growth of 6% compared to the first half of 2024.

Last year 76,000 calls were answered, followed by 2023, with 70,700, 2021, with 70 thousand, 2022 with 64,800, and 2020, with 57,700 calls, according to the Ministry of Health shared services (SPMS), this Thursday to Lusa agency.

Most of the calls for LAP are related to symptoms associated with anxiety, the aggravation of prior psychopathology and the management and adaptation in a situation of crisis.

It should be noted that in situations where the psychologist identifies that there is danger to the user himself or to third parties, the call is transferred to INEM, which must ensure the activation of the appropriate means of relief.

To access the psychological care line just call the SNS 24 (808 24 24 24).