Call for Increased Mental Health Nursing Specialists in Spain
Healthcare leaders advocate for more mental health nurses to address rising mental health issues in the population.
María del Mar García, head of the Mental Health Area at the General Council of Official Nursing Colleges (CGE), has called for an increase in the number of specialist mental health nurses in Spain during a session at the Congress of Deputies.
She emphasized that the holistic approach taken by these professionals, who evaluate patients from a biopsychosocial perspective, allows for early detection of issues and significantly improves prognoses.
Currently, the ratio of mental health nurses in Spain stands at only 5-6 per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure deemed insufficient to meet the healthcare needs of the population.
García noted that there are approximately 6,500 to 6,600 mental health specialist nurses in the country.
This year, the nursing specialty examination (EIR) offered 2,701 positions, of which only 351 were allocated to mental health.
She further highlighted that the specialty is not uniformly established across all regions of Spain, with areas such as Castilla y León, Navarra, and Catalonia lacking the designation of mental health nurse.
Even in regions where the category exists, not all nursing positions within mental health services are filled by specialists.
Mental health nurses play a critical role in both hospital and community settings, including mental health centers, day hospitals, and home visits.
They provide support for individuals with severe mental disorders, such as psychosis and eating disorders, as well as for those recovering from mild to moderate conditions.
García expressed concern over the deteriorating mental health of the population, citing a study conducted by the Health Spain Confederation and Fundación Mutua Madrileña in 2023. The study revealed that 47% of the population has experienced an anxiety or panic attack at some point, 42% have suffered from depression, 37% have endured prolonged anxiety, 14.5% have experienced suicidal ideation or attempts, and 9% engage in self-harm.
She emphasized that the holistic approach taken by these professionals, who evaluate patients from a biopsychosocial perspective, allows for early detection of issues and significantly improves prognoses.
Currently, the ratio of mental health nurses in Spain stands at only 5-6 per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure deemed insufficient to meet the healthcare needs of the population.
García noted that there are approximately 6,500 to 6,600 mental health specialist nurses in the country.
This year, the nursing specialty examination (EIR) offered 2,701 positions, of which only 351 were allocated to mental health.
She further highlighted that the specialty is not uniformly established across all regions of Spain, with areas such as Castilla y León, Navarra, and Catalonia lacking the designation of mental health nurse.
Even in regions where the category exists, not all nursing positions within mental health services are filled by specialists.
Mental health nurses play a critical role in both hospital and community settings, including mental health centers, day hospitals, and home visits.
They provide support for individuals with severe mental disorders, such as psychosis and eating disorders, as well as for those recovering from mild to moderate conditions.
García expressed concern over the deteriorating mental health of the population, citing a study conducted by the Health Spain Confederation and Fundación Mutua Madrileña in 2023. The study revealed that 47% of the population has experienced an anxiety or panic attack at some point, 42% have suffered from depression, 37% have endured prolonged anxiety, 14.5% have experienced suicidal ideation or attempts, and 9% engage in self-harm.
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