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1. Policy framework

2. Stakeholders

3. Guidance to stakeholders

4. Target groups

5. Funding

Policy framework

Early detection and signposting of young people facing health risks is addressed through a combination of national strategies, regional initiatives, and intersectoral coordination mechanisms. 

The Mental Health Strategy of the National Health System 2022–20262026  (Estrategia de Salud Mental del Sistema Nacional de Salud Período 2022-2026) includes early detection as a key priority, particularly in schools and primary care settings. Strategic Line 3 focuses on the prevention and care of suicidal behaviour, while Strategic Line 5 emphasizes early identification of mental health problems in childhood and adolescence.

In addition, the School Coexistence Plan, regulated by Organic Law 3/2020 on Education, of December 29th, which modifies the Organic Law 2/2006, of May 3rd, requires all schools to include mechanisms for detecting bullying, violence and emotional distress. The plan is developed by each school´s coexistence commission and involved the entire educational community. 

Regional strategies also reinforce early detection. For example, the Asturias Strategy on Unwanted Loneliness 2026-2027 (Estrategia contra la soledad no deseada de Asutrias 2026-2027) will include training for professionals in education, health, and social services to identify risk factors and apply standardized detection protocols. See if there are more examples

Similarly, co-financed projects under the ESF+ 2021–2027 framework promote interinstitutional coordination and the development of shared protocols for identifying and referring youth at risk, aligned with the Youth Strategy 2030 and the Mental Health Strategy 2022-2026. Programmes such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps also contribute to early detection and support for youth facing health risks. 

Stakeholders

Key stakeholders involved in early detection include:

• Teachers and school staff, who are trained to identify behavioural and emotional warning signs.
• School guidance counsellors and psychologists, who provide initial assessments and referrals.
• Primary care professionals, who are increasingly integrated into school-based health promotion.
• Social workers and youth services, especially in cases involving vulnerable or marginalized youth.
• Families, who are encouraged to participate in prevention and support efforts.

Guidance to stakeholders

Several guides and resources are available to support stakeholders in identifying and responding to health risks among youth. These include:

• Promotion of emotional well-being, prevention, detection and intervention in the face of suicidal behaviour (Promoción del bienestar emocional, prevención, detección e intervención ante la conducta suicida. Guía para centros educativos): Guide for educational centers.
• Recommendations for working on cyber coexistence in schools (Recomendaciones para trabajar la Ciberconvivencia en los centros educativos): Guide for students, families and school workers .
• Teach them to be legal on the Internet (Enséñales a ser legales en Internet): Guide for families and teachers).
• S.O.S. Guide against cyberbullying (Guide for educational centers): Guide for families.
• Bullying Guide for parents. (Acoso Escolar. Guía para padres y madres).

Target groups

Detection and signposting mechanisms are aimed at all students in formal education, including:

• Pre-school and primary education
• Compulsory Secondary Education
• Vocational Training and Baccalaureate.

Special attention is given to vulnerable groups, including:

• Youth with disabilities
• Migrant and refugee minors
• LGBTIQ+ youth
• Youth in care or at risk of exclusion

Funding

Funding for early detection mechanisms comes from multiple sources:

• National health and education budgets
• Regional strategies and action plans
• EU co-financing (e.g. FSE+ 2021–2027)
• Local government and NGO partnerships

While specific budget figures are not always publicly available, recent projects under the FSE+ framework include dedicated funding for training, protocol development, and interinstitutional coordination.

Available data on the most recent Erasmus+ and ESC calls provides some insights into funding for Spanish projects on mental health under these funds: 

Sources: Erasmus+ Projects Results Platform. Filtered by projects coordinated by Spanish organizations, in the field of youth and on the topic of physical and mental health and wellbeing, with “mental” “emotional” or “sports” in their summaries or titles. ESC Project Results Platform. Filtered by projects hosted by Spanish organizations, in the topic of physical and mental health and wellbeing, filtered by projects that targeted young people, with “mental” “emotional” or “sports” in their summaries or titles.