Mental health care is one of the Government’s priorities in the healthcare field. To address this issue comprehensively, the Ministry of Health has implemented the Mental Health Strategy and the Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2024, which includes measures such as the suicide behaviour hotline.

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Mental health

What is mental health?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual is aware of his or her capabilities, can manage the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community. Moreover, it is a fundamental human right and an essential element for personal, community and socioeconomic development.

How is mental health addressed?
Addressing mental health has become one of the most important challenges of the National Health System, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health crisis caused by this virus increased in many countries the prevalence of disorders such as anxiety or depression and complicated other mental pathologies already diagnosed before the pandemic.

For this reason, the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan established among its priorities the promotion of the Mental Health Strategy 2022-2026, from which, in turn, emanates the Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2024. This Plan, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda and designed under the comprehensive approach of the European Union, is the instrument that channels all actions to improve mental health in Spain.

In addition, as a priority area of the Government, there are other initiatives on mental health. At the European level, during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, progress was made in a homogeneous framework for action in this area. On the other hand, the Council of Ministers has approved the creation of a Committee of experts for the protection of children and adolescents in the digital environment, with an important emphasis on the protection of mental health. Likewise, the new structure of the Ministry of Health incorporates a Commissioner for Mental Health to promote new policies in this area.

What is the objective of the Mental Health Strategy 2024-2026?
The objectives of this strategy are to improve the mental health of the population at all levels and areas of the National Health System, to comprehensively care for and accompany people with mental health problems based on respect for human rights, to support their families and to promote a comprehensive and community-based care model that favours recovery and social inclusion.

This strategy is based on a recovery model through a community care system. This method not only seeks to reduce the symptoms of a diagnosed disorder but also for the patient to resume his or her normal life in all areas (family, work, studies, social life, etc.). Therefore, mental health recovery is conceived as a unique process for each person, in which a collaborative relationship is established with the health professional to jointly create treatment plans.

Who is it aimed at?
The strategy is aimed at the entire population, especially at people with mental health problems who receive healthcare in the National Health System (NHS), its professionals (clinical and management), organizations and healthcare providers in the NHS, the families of people with mental health problems and all those academic and social entities and agents involved in the improvement of mental health in Spain.

How does the Mental Health Action Plan work?
The Plan has a total of 44 actions which, under the distribution of competencies in Health, are carried out in close collaboration with the autonomous communities. These actions are classified into 6 lines of work:

Reinforcement of human resources in mental health.
Optimization of comprehensive mental health care.
Raising awareness and fighting against the stigmatization of people with mental health problems.
Prevention, early detection and attention to suicidal behaviour.
Addressing mental health problems in contexts of greater vulnerability.
Prevention of addictive behaviours with and without substances.