One in Five Spaniards Sought Mental Health Care in 2025, Facing Long Waits and Mixed Outcomes

According to the 2025 Barómetro Sanitario survey, 21.2% of Spaniards sought professional help for mental health or emotional problems in the past year. This recent data, derived from 2,427 interviews conducted from November 12 to 18, 2025, shines a light on both the increasing demand for mental health services in Spain and the challenges patients face within the public healthcare system.

The survey reveals that young adults aged 18 to 24 had the highest consultation rate, with 32.9% seeking care. Public healthcare remains the main provider, as 50.4% of those seeking help received treatment in this system, while 34.2% opted for private providers without insurance. However, accessibility remains a significant concern, with the average waiting time for a first appointment with a mental health specialist recorded at nearly 109 days. Additionally, 23.7% of respondents experienced difficulties in contacting their family doctor, often resorting to emergency services as a last measure.

Despite 56.4% of patients rating their mental health care as good or very good, a notable 34.8% reported little to no improvement following treatment, indicating possible gaps in effectiveness or continuity of care. Encouragingly, 71.4% of patients continued periodic visits with their specialists, suggesting ongoing engagement with mental health services.

These findings underscore the urgent need to expand and enhance mental health services within Spain’s public healthcare system to address both wait times and treatment outcomes. Improving accessibility and ensuring timely, effective care are critical steps toward meeting the mental health needs of the Spanish population.

In conclusion, while more Spaniards are seeking mental health support, systemic challenges related to access and treatment effectiveness remain. The public healthcare system must prioritize addressing these issues to better serve patients’ mental health needs.