Portugal's National Suicide Prevention Line received around 25,600 calls during its inaugural year, which began on September 10, 2025. Of these, nearly 700 calls concerned an imminent risk of suicide. The free 1411 helpline operates 24 hours a day and is staffed by approximately 70 clinical psychologists and mental health nurses.
José Carlos Santos, the line's clinical coordinator, described the call volume as significant for a relatively new and not yet widely known service. He noted that about 80% of calls were answered, a figure he considers favourable compared to international services, with an average waiting time of around 50 seconds.
Young adults constitute the majority of callers, with over 40% aged between 18 and 29. Women accounted for approximately 60% of calls, versus 40% for men. Santos voiced concern about men's lower engagement, possibly due to reluctance to discuss emotions, stressing that "asking for help is not a weakness." Common reasons for calling included anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and relationship or family issues.
