According to a recently published legislation, funding for the establishment of community mental health teams totals one million euros, with a maximum of 50 thousand euros to be allotted to each project. By the end of 2025, 40 community mental health teams (ECSM) for adults, children and adolescents are expected to be established as part of the Recovery and Resilience Program (RRP).

According to an ordinance approved by the Official Gazette, which authorises the Regulation of Financial Support for the Implementation of ECSM, “of these [40], 20 are already in operation and the remaining 20 are in the process of implementation” in mainland Portugal.

The financial assistance is intended to “promote the differentiation of community mental health teams and to improve the quality of care provided in a logic of proximity and continuity” as stated in the ordinance, which was signed by Ana Paula Martins, the Minister of Health. Moreover, as stated in the regulation, “The financial support to be allocated to each project is 100% of the eligible global value up to a maximum limit of 50 thousand euros per institution”.

Multidisciplinary in nature, community mental health teams are in charge of coordinating with forensic units, primary care, the National Network of Integrated Continuing Care, and other partners and structures within their geographic area of care responsibility. As stated in the ordinance, “Mental health is a fundamental component of individuals’ well-being and mental disorders are, among chronic diseases, the leading cause of disability in Portugal, accounting for around a third of the healthy years of life lost”.