What is the telephone psychological counseling service?
The psychological counselling service is integrated into the SNS 24 telephone line, through the 808242424 and aims to support the psychological concerns and challenges of users and health professionals (who are providing health care).
Why was this service created?
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to profound changes in people's lives, family and work routines. The need to adapt to change, with isolation and social distancing, puts all citizens under psychological pressure, sometimes difficult to control. This service aims to provide support in various situations, such as:
- acute anxiety
- Psychological fragility
- worsening of your psychological illness
What are the objectives of this service?
The objectives of this service are:
- managing emotions (stress, anxiety, anguish, fear) in a crisis situation
- Promote psychological resilience
- decrease the likelihood of developing mental health problems
- promote an increase in the feeling of security of the population and health professionals
- guide to other support entities, in case of need identified by the psychologist
Who can call this service?
This service is available to all citizens, whether they are:
- users or
- health professionals who are providing health care
What is the phone number of this service?
The number you should call is SNS 24 – 808242424. Then you should select option 4 (psychological counseling).
When is it available?
The service is available 24/7.
Who answers the call?
This service is performed by clinical psychologists. These health professionals develop an approach focused on psychological intervention in the context of crisis.
Is this call recorded?
No. None of the telephone calls in this context are recorded. At the beginning of each call, the psychologist obtains the informed consent of the patient.
Which entities are involved in this project?
The psychological counselling service is the result of a partnership between Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (SPMS) and Order of Portuguese Psychologists (OPP) with the support of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (FCG).
Source: Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (SPMS) and Order of Portuguese Psychologists (OPP)