Portugal Parliament recommends mental health teams to combat arson

The Assembly of the Republic has recommended that the Portuguese government approve an integrated strategy to combat arson. The proposal suggests creating multidisciplinary teams focused on social reintegration and mental health to support individuals responsible for setting fires, specifically targeting diagnoses related to mental illness and addictive behaviors.

The recommendation, detailed in Resolution No. 277/2026, calls for coordination between the ministries of Internal Administration, Justice, Health, and Labor and Social Security. This strategy is intended to function within the Integrated Management System for Rural Fires.

While the resolution advocates for these specialized teams, it does not establish specific funding, timelines, professional compositions, or territorial distribution. As a parliamentary recommendation, it is not legally binding for the government. The initiative originated from a proposal by the PAN party, which argued that the response to arson should integrate social and public health interventions.