Having more psychologists in hospitals and in health centres allows for a significant reduction in medical consultations and hospitalisation. The report on the Cost-Effectiveness of Psychological Intervention, prepared by the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (OPP) also shows that psychological intervention pays for itself.

Mental health during this crisis is of concern to the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses. On World Day for Mental Health, which is celebrated this Monday, the Order will publish a report which shows that integrating more psychologists in the National Healthcare System (NHS) could raise the State's effectiveness in providing healthcare.

The document brings together conclusions for various national and international studies which state the many advantages, for health and for the economy, of having more psychologists working in the public health system. «With six or eight sessions, we can normally guarantee that a person has positive results in well-being and that the intervention pays for itself», guarantees Telmo Mourinho Baptista.

The studies not only show that the psychological consultation pays for itself but also allows gains to be made in Health. This happens because there are high success rates which allow people to get back to work sooner.

According to the Chairman of the Ordem dos Psicólogos (OPP), an early intervention in mental disturbances will save the State money during a crisis. «During a time like this in where we know there is a big potential for disturbances from a mental point of view, such as anxiety, depression, stress and an increase in suicide, we have answers to these issues», guarantees Telmo Mourinho Baptista.

There are currently little over 170 psychologists working in health centres and less than three hundred in hospitals, a number which is clearly insufficient for the existing needs. The Order is concerned and alert, and is performing more detailed studies on this area, and is accompanying, together with the Ministry of Health, the increase in the accessibility of citizens to the services.

Consult the summary of the document here.