Overview

• Official data show depressive symptoms in Spain nearly tripled from 5.4% in 2019 to 14.6% in 2023, sharply increasing demand for care.
• Doctors’ groups report saturated services and warn that the Terrassa incident could recur given chronic shortages of psychiatrists and psychologists.
• In 2022, 62.8% of psychiatric hospitalizations were handled through emergency departments, where traditional boxes are deemed inadequate for safe assessment.
• Only 21 of 68 Catalan public hospitals have dedicated psychiatric emergency units, prompting calls for segregated spaces and more specialized staff.
• Spain has about 9 psychiatrists per 100,000 people (13 in Catalonia) versus 19 in the EU, with one in five over 60, alongside rising complaints to the Síndic de Greuges about deficient care.