What is the psychological counseling service over the phone?
The psychological counseling service is integrated in the SNS 24 telephone line, through 808 24 24 24 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 current pandemic of COVID-19 has led to profound changes in people’s lives, family and work life. The need to adapt to change, with social isolation, 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:
– manage emotions (stress, anxiety, anguish, fear) in a crisis situation
– promote psychological resilience
– decrease the likelihood of developing mental health problems following the COVID-19 pandemic crisis
– promote an increase in the feeling of security among the population and health professionals
– guide 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
– health professionals who are providing health care
What is the phone number for this service?
The number to call is the SNS 24 – 808 24 24 24. Then you must select option 4 (psychological counseling).
When is it available?
The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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 phone calls in this scope is recorded. At the beginning of each call the psychologist obtains the user’s informed consent.
What entities are involved in this project?
The psychological counseling service results from a partnership between the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (SPMS) and the Portuguese Psychologists Order (OPP) with support from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (FCG).