Spain Mental Health: €39M for Workforce Support
- The Spanish government is increasing investment in mental healthcare as new figures reveal a sharp rise in mental health related sick leave.
- Data from the 2023 National Health System Annual Report indicates that 34% of Spaniards experience some form of mental health issue.
- As the pandemic, the number of workers taking sick leave for mental health reasons has increased by 175%.
Spain is bolstering its mental healthcare infrastructure with a €39 million investment, directly addressing a surge in mental health-related sick leave across the workforce, alongside €17.83 million earmarked for crucial suicide prevention initiatives. This decisive action comes in response to alarming statistics: mental health issues affect 34% of the spanish population, and since the pandemic, sick leave related to mental health has skyrocketed by 175%. Anxiety and depression are especially prevalent, placing immense pressure on the healthcare system and impacting the economy.News Directory 3 understands the urgency and impact of these developments. With the rise in mental health challenges among young people, the government’s commitment to the Mental Health Action Plan 2025-2027 is more critically important than ever. Discover what’s next for these critical support programs.
Spain Boosts Mental Health spending Amid Sick Leave Surge
Updated June 05, 2025
The Spanish government is increasing investment in mental healthcare as new figures reveal a sharp rise in mental health related sick leave. The cabinet recently approved €39 million to improve treatment availability in public hospitals, alongside €17.83 million for suicide prevention programs. these measures align wiht Spain’s Mental Health Action Plan 2025-2027 and Suicide Prevention Plan 2025-2027.
Data from the 2023 National Health System Annual Report indicates that 34% of Spaniards experience some form of mental health issue. Anxiety is the moast prevalent, affecting 6.7% of those with public health coverage, according to the Ministry of Health. Depression affects 4.1% of the population, increasing with age, while sleep disorders impact 5.4%, also rising with age. Psychoses affect 1.2%, and dementia is recorded in 3.2% of those 60 and older.
As the pandemic, the number of workers taking sick leave for mental health reasons has increased by 175%. This has led to a notable rise in public spending, now around €15 billion annually—an almost 80% increase since the pandemic. The direct impact on businesses has also grown by 62%,reaching €4.6 billion. Of particular concern is the doubling of mental health issues among young people in recent years.
Spaniards consume more anti-anxiety medication than any other nation, and they lead the EU in the use of psychiatric or psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants, stimulants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. A recent Bank of Spain report shows that 4.4% of workers are currently on sick leave, compared to just 2.7% in 2019. This equates to over 1.5 million people on temporary disability.
“Stress, depression, anxiety” are the worst culprits.
Ruiz also noted a striking increase in mental health issues among young people, stating that cases have risen by 325% in those under 35. The UGT has criticized the healthcare system for its lack of follow-up and attention to patients’ ailments, describing it as a mere formality.
Long waiting lists in public healthcare exacerbate the problem. Yolanda Díaz, Minister of Labor, acknowledges these delays, attributing them to the stresses of modern society and aging labour markets. The hope is that increased investment in health programs and professionals will reduce suffering and the need for work absences.
What’s next
The Spanish government aims to alleviate the burden on its healthcare system and workforce by proactively addressing mental health challenges through increased funding and improved access to treatment and preventative measures.