About This Project

Police suicide is a hidden crisis in Portugal with little data and almost no research. This project will investigate causes and risk factors through surveys, interviews, and analysis. The hypothesis is that organizational culture, stigma, and lack of institutional support increase suicide risk. The goal is to raise awareness, guide prevention strategies, and promote healthier environments for law enforcement.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Police officers are exposed daily to stress, trauma, and institutional pressure. While international research has shown a link between these factors and suicide, in Portugal the phenomenon remains largely undocumented. There is no systematic data, and little public awareness. This lack of research prevents institutions from understanding the risks officers face and from creating proper prevention strategies. By exploring this hidden problem, the project fills an important knowledge gap at the intersection of criminology, psychology, and occupational health.

This project hypothesizes that systematic data collection will reveal key institutional and psychological risk factors—such as organizational culture, stigma around mental health, and exposure to trauma—that increase suicide risk among Portuguese police officers. Identifying these factors will help inform effective prevention strategies.

What is the significance of this project?

Police suicide is not only a professional issue but also a social one. Each case affects families, colleagues, and public trust in law enforcement. Understanding the causes and risk factors is crucial to designing evidence-based prevention measures and to protecting those who dedicate their lives to protecting society. In Portugal, where silence and stigma often dominate mental health discussions, this project will be one of the first to address the problem scientifically. The significance of this study lies in its ability to generate concrete, measurable evidence. Specifically, it will identify the prevalence of suicide risk factors among Portuguese police officers, analyze the role of institutional culture and organizational stressors, and explore officers’ attitudes toward mental health and help-seeking. By linking these findings to prevention strategies, the project will provide actionable knowledge that can directly save lives and guide reforms within law enforcement institutions.

What are the goals of the project?

The main goal of this project is to investigate the prevalence and causes of police suicide in Portugal. To achieve this, the study will collect quantitative data through anonymous surveys with police officers and conduct qualitative interviews to explore lived experiences and institutional challenges. It will also identify organizational, cultural, and psychological risk factors that contribute to suicide risk. The final stage will involve producing a comprehensive report with recommendations for policy and prevention. Ultimately, the project seeks to transform research findings into practical solutions that promote healthier and safer environments within law enforcement.