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Spain’s responsiveness to population mental health needs: lessons from a critical comparison with other European countries

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study compared Spain’s responsiveness in healthcare and the non-healthcare systems to population mental health (MH) needs with that of all other European Union (EU) countries and the United Kingdom (UK) using data from the 2023 Headway Initiative. Regarding responsiveness in healthcare, Spain scored 3.4 (out of 10), ranking 17 th , whereas in the non-healthcare system Spain scored 4.5, ranking 25 th . Spain’s responsiveness to population MH needs remains comparatively lower than that of most European countries. Improved governance and integration of services, digitalisation, research and prevention should guide future MH policies in Spain, for which increased MH expenditure will be required.

Source: The European Journal of Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpsy.2026.100365

Authors: Javier-David Lopez-Morinigo, Mercedes Navío, Celso Arango