The study analysed five of the 40 community mental health teams funded by the PRR and shows consistent results: by 2022, there had already been a 28.4% reduction in the number of hospital admissions, a 26% reduction in hospital days and a 38.4% reduction in readmissions.

In economic terms, the estimated return was €12.90 for every euro invested in 2022 and €14.50 in 2023. The annual savings in these five teams amount to €2.3 million, enough to finance between 11 and 13 new teams.

“The return offered is absolutely overwhelming,” said the national coordinator for mental health policies, Miguel Xavier. Speaking to Lusa, he explained that each mental health team costs around €170,000 per year and said that, with these figures in hand, it is necessary to “ensure that these teams are maintained and that the whole territory is covered”.

“Our work from now on, showing the great cost-benefit value, is that some of this money can be applied, naturally, to strengthening the teams that exist,” he argued.

Miguel Xavier said that in total, the country has around 100 community mental health teams, but several are incomplete. "And these results can only be achieved with complete teams. This really is teamwork," he insisted.

Miguel Xavier also recalled a factor that “makes all the difference” in the work of these professionals: "When we set up the PRR teams, we gave them each a car. That is the only way they can have a means of transport to go to people’s homes."

"The impact of community mental health teams goes beyond numbers: it promotes proximity, continuity of care and reduces inequalities. These results show the model’s sustainability and potential for expansion," he emphasised.

In addition to the clinical and economic benefits, the intervention of community mental health teams has a measurable environmental impact: in the five areas assessed, the 26% reduction in the number of inpatient days in 2022 compared to 2019 translates into an estimated saving of 25-34 tonnes/year of hospital waste (assuming 6-8 kg/bed/day).

Extrapolating to the country, and based on hospital production in 2022, a 28.4% reduction in the number of people admitted would mean around 4,000 admissions and 86,000 hospital days avoided per year, corresponding to 520-690 tonnes/year of hospital waste avoided.