What is mental health?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as a state of well-being in which a person is aware of their capabilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to their community. It is also a fundamental human right and an essential element for personal, community and socio-economic development.
How is mental health addressed?
Addressing mental health has become one of the most important challenges for the National Health System, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health crisis caused by the virus increased the prevalence of disorders such as anxiety and depression in many countries and complicated other mental health conditions diagnosed prior to the pandemic.
Given this situation, the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan has established among its priorities the promotion of the Mental Health Strategy 2024-2026, which in turn served as the basis for the creation of the Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2024. The plan, aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and designed in accordance with the EU's comprehensive approach is the instrument that channels all actions to improve mental health in Spain.
As a government priority area, there are also other initiatives on mental health. At the European level, during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, progress was made on a homogeneous framework for action in this area. Furthermore, 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. The new structure of the Ministry of Health also 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 are to improve the mental health of the population at all levels and in all areas of the National Health System; to attend to and accompany people with mental health problems in a comprehensive manner and with respect for human rights; and to support their families and promote a model of comprehensive and community-based care that facilitates recovery and social inclusion.
This strategy is based on a model of recovery through a community care system. The method not only aims to reduce the symptoms of a diagnosed disorder, but also to help the patient return to a normal life in all areas (family, work, studies, social life, etc.). Mental health recovery is therefore conceived as a unique process for each person, where 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, and especially at people with mental health problems who receive healthcare in the National Health System (NHS), at its professionals (clinical and management), organisations and healthcare providers in the NHS, at the families of people with mental health problems and at all 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 is made up of a total of 44 actions which, in accordance with the distribution of competencies in health, must always be agreed with the regional governments. These actions are classified into six lines of work:
- Strengthening human resources in mental health.
- Optimising integrated mental health care.
- Raising awareness and combating the stigmatisation of people with mental health problems.
- Prevention, early detection and care of suicidal behaviour.
- Addressing mental health problems in contexts of greater vulnerability.
- Prevention of substance and non-substance addictive behaviours.
What resources are there?
The Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2024 is co-financed by the autonomous communities and the Ministry of Health and has a budget of €100 million, to be covered by the General State Budget.
What are the most important actions?
The Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2024 encompasses initiatives such as:
- The creation of the 024 line, a 24/7, free and confidential hotline, which offers professional care and support for suicidal behaviour.
- The improvement of professional development capacity, for which the speciality of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has been created.
- Specific actions for the vulnerable older population, such as the establishment of mechanisms for the identification of older people, especially those living in loneliness and with mental health problems.
- Actions to prioritise the implementation of substance and non-substance addiction prevention programmes.
- Development of specific programmes for health and social-health professionals with mental health problems related to their care work.
The most vulnerable: young and old
Data from the 024 line indicate that 1 in 3 people who use it are under 30 years old and that many calls are from teachers looking for tools for their students. These figures underline the vulnerability of the younger population, an issue that has been analysed in studies on university students, such as the one developed by the Ministries of Universities and Health.
In this context, the Ministry of Universities has incorporated in the Organic Law of the University System the creation of psycho-pedagogical cycles of guidance and help, or so-called mentoring, through which students in later academic years can tutor students who are just starting. In this regard, the 024 line includes a chat as an alternative means of contact, especially aimed at the younger population.
Older people are another population group considered vulnerable in this area. For this reason, the Mental Health Action Plan includes the development of initiatives to prevent suicidal behaviour in this group, the establishment of mechanisms to identify elderly people living alone and actions to promote active ageing.
When is World Mental Health Day?
World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10 October in more than 100 countries to raise awareness and mobilise efforts to diagnose and address mental illness.
The motto of World Mental Health Day 2023 was "Mental health is a universal human right", emphasising that everyone has the right to live a life with dignity, equity, equality and respect, including people with mental health problems.
The World Health Organisation reiterates that no one should be deprived of their human rights or excluded from decisions about their health because they have a mental health problem. The organisation continues to work with its partners to ensure that mental health is valued, promoted and protected, and that urgent action is taken so that all people can assert their human rights and receive the care they need.
Non official translation