National strategy(ies)

Strategic framework.

Portugal’s mental‑health policies are embedded in the National Health Plan 2030 (Plano Nacional de Saúde 2030), coordinated by the Directorate‑General of Health (Direção‑Geral da Saúde, DGS). The plan sets national priorities up to 2030, including violence prevention, support for vulnerable populations and strengthening public‑health governance.

Governance and recent reforms

Reforms undertaken between 2021 and 2024 reinforced the National Coordination for Mental Health Policies (Coordenação Nacional das Políticas de Saúde Mental, CNPSM), expanded Community Mental Health Teams, and reorganised financial and operational structures. The publication of new technical guidance in 2023 and the approval of the Mental Health Law (Lei da Saúde Mental) strengthened the sector’s legal framework.

Child and adolescent emergency network

In 2023, the Executive Directorate of the NHS (Direção Executiva do SNS, DE‑SNS) introduced a national Network for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Emergency Services (Rede Nacional de Urgência de Psiquiatria da Infância e Adolescência), organised into three regional hubs (Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon). It standardises referral routes and ensures continuity of specialised paediatric psychiatric care.

National suicide‑prevention line and new plan

Portugal created a free, 24/7 National Hotline for Suicide and Self‑Harm Prevention in 2024, functioning alongside the NHS 24 Contact Centre (SNS 24). The State Budget Law for 2025 requires the National Coordination for Mental Health Policies (CNPSM) to produce a new National Suicide Prevention Plan with measurable objectives and regular evaluation of the hotline.

Improving the mental health of young people

24/7 counselling and crisis pathways

The NHS 24 Psychological Counselling Service (Aconselhamento Psicológico do SNS 24) provides round‑the‑clock psychological support delivered by clinical psychologists, with immediate referral to the National Institute for Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica, INEM) when risk is identified. Since 2020 the service has handled approximately 369,000 calls, with 2024 recording the highest annual volume.

School‑based mental‑health promotion

Mental‑health literacy and prevention in schools are implemented through the School Health Programme (Programa Nacional de Saúde Escolar), jointly executed by the Directorate‑General for Education (Direção‑Geral da Educação, DGE) and the Directorate‑General of Health (DGS). In 2024 the DGS confirmed work on a new version of the programme, with strengthened emphasis on mental‑health promotion and sexual‑health education across all education levels.

Youth‑friendly primary‑care services

The APARECE – Youth Health Unit (Aparece – Saúde Jovem), integrated within primary care in Lisbon (ACES Lisboa Norte / Sete Rios), offers confidential, walk‑in access to multidisciplinary support for 12–24‑year‑olds. Its team covers mental health, relationships, sexuality, and addiction‑related issues.

IPDJ youth‑health programme

The Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude, IPDJ) reinforced the Cuida‑te Programme, supported by multiannual public funding. From late 2025 to June 2026, mobile units will provide decentralised early detection, brief intervention and referral in low‑access areas. The programme offers free online or in‑person psychological support for young people aged 12–30, covering mental health, emotional wellbeing, physical activity, nutrition, sexuality and addictive behaviours.

Paediatric age and continuity of care

Paediatric services within the Portuguese National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS) attend children and adolescents up to 17 years and 364 days across emergency departments, outpatient care, day hospitals and inpatient services, ensuring structured transition pathways to adult mental‑health services.