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Spain

7. Health and Well-Being

7.5 Mental health

Last update: 15 December 2025
On this page
  1. National strategy(ies)
  2. Improving the mental health of young people
On this page
  1. National strategy(ies)
  2. Promotion of Emotional Health and Wellbeing in the young

National strategy(ies)

Mental Health Strategy of the National Health System and its Action Plans

Spain’s mental health policy is framed by  the  Mental Health Strategy of the National Health System 2022-2026 (Estrategia de Salud Mental del Sistema Nacional de Salud 2022–2026), approved by the Interterritorial Council and coordinated by the Ministry of Health. 

The strategy includes specific actions for children and youth, particularly under Strategic Line 5, which focuses on the promotion of emotional wellbeing, early detection, and care for mental health problems in childhood and adolescence. It also emphasizes the need for mental health professionals in schools and stronger coordination with primary care services. 

To implement the strategy, the Ministry launched the M[SB1] ental Health Action Plan 2022-2024 (Plan de Acción de Salud Mental 2022–2024), with a budget of €100 million. Key measures include:

  • The creation of the 024 suicide prevention hotline (“Llama a la vida”), which offers immediate support and referral services.
  • The formal recognition of child and adolescent psychiatry as a medical specialty.
  • Support for families and schools in managing mental health crises and promoting resilience.

In 2025, the Ministry announced the Mental Health Action Plan 2025-2027 (Plan de Acción de Salud Mental 2025–2027), which builds on previous efforts and introduces new priorities such as:

  • Expanding community-based care (e.g., home-based support, crisis houses).
  • Eliminating mechanical restraints in psychiatric care.
  • Promoting the inclusion of people with lived experience in decision-making.
  • Respecting advance directives in crisis situations.
  • Training professionals in the prescription and deprescription of psychotropic medications
Regional mental health plans and strategies 

In addition to the national strategy, several Autonomous Communities have developed their own mental health plans and strategies. Recent examples include:

These regional strategies complement national efforts and reflect the decentralized nature of health governance in Spain.

Improving the mental health of young people

Mental Health Strategy 2022-2026 

The Mental Health Strategy of the National Health System 2022-2026  (Estrategia de Salud Mental del Sistema Nacional de Salud Período 2022-2026) places mental health in childhood and adolescence as a priority. It promotes the presence of health professionals in schools to support emotional wellbeing and detect early signs distress or suicide risk. It also calls for stronger mental health care in primary health services.

The strategy´s objectives for youth include:

  • Promoting mental health and emotional wellbeing.
  • Preventing and detecting mental health problems early.
  • Providing care and support for affected children and adolescents.
  • Combatting discrimination and social stigma related to mental.

The 2025–2027 Mental Health Action Plan (Plan de Acción de Salud Mental 2025-2027)   reinforces these goals by expanding community-based alternatives to hospitalization and promoting autonomy and dignity in care setting.

Youth Suicide Prevention 

Spain now has a dedicated national suicide prevention plan, the Plan de Acción para la Prevención del Suicidio 2025–2027, which complements the broader Mental Health Strategy 2022–2026 (which includes prevention, early detection, and care for suicidal behaviour under its Strategic Line 3). While not youth-specific, the plan includes targeted measures for adolescents and young people, especially those in vulnerable situations such as LGTBIQ+ youth, youth in social exclusion, and those affected by bullying or digital risks.

The plan’s objectives include:

  • Improving early detection and response to suicidal behaviour.
  • Strengthening community-based support networks.
  • Promoting awareness and reducing stigma through education and media.
  • Enhancing coordination across sectors including health, education, and social services.

A key initiative is the Línea 024, a free and confidential 24/7 suicide prevention hotline launched in 2022. It provides crisis support and emotional assistance and is integrated into the national suicide prevention strategy. The 2025–2027 plan expands its scope through professional training, postvention services, and the creation of the Observatory for Suicide Prevention (Observatorio para la Prevención del Suicidio) to monitor trends and guide interventions.

Youth Strategy 2030 (EJ2030)

Mental health is also addressed in the Youth Strategy 2030 (Estrategia de Juventud 2030, EJ2030) coordinated by INJUVE. The strategy acknowledges the psychological consequences of COVID-19 and sets objectives to:

  • Promote emotional wellbeing of youth and prevent suicide.
  • End stigma around mental health.
  • Improve access to early care and support services.
  • Encourage youth-led initiatives and research on mental health.
  • Adapt public services to the specific needs of adolescents and youth.
European funded initiatives

Programmes such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps also contribute to improving the mental health of young people, complementing the national strategies. For instance, some notable ERASMUS+ projects include:

  • Empowering Youth Resilience: A Wellbeing Journey Towards Mental Health Awareness, is a strategic partnership project in 5 countries that aims to strengthen mental health support systems for young people aged 13-30 through participatory approaches, training for youth professionals, and the development of tools for early detection and intervention. Operating from 2024 to 2026 and led by the City of Villarrobledo in Castilla La Mancha.
  • Care and Mental Health for Adults (Cuidados y salud mental de personas adultas), operating from 2024 to 2025, the good practice project focused on promoting mental health awareness and care strategies through adult education, with potential relevance for youth workers and educators.

Spain also leverages funding from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021–2027 to support initiatives that indirectly improve youth mental health. These include projects focused on social inclusion, education and training, and support for vulnerable youth, which often incorporate early detection mechanisms, personalized guidance, and referral pathways for young people facing emotional distress or mental health risks. While not all ESF+ projects are explicitly mental health-focused, they contribute to the broader ecosystem of support and prevention aligned with the national youth and mental health strategies