Health authorities warn that 50% of people in the Canary Islands face mental health issues
The Canary Islands has one of the highest rates of mental health problems in Spain, according to the Federación Salud Mental Canarias, which estimates that 50% of people in the islands are affected by some form of mental health condition. This figure equates to around 500 cases per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to the national average of 300.
The federation highlighted the shortage of healthcare professionals across the archipelago in key areas such as clinical psychology, psychiatry, mental health nursing, and social work.
Despite repeated warnings from experts over the last decade, basic measures such as providing at least one psychologist in every health centre have not been implemented — even for age groups most vulnerable to mental illness.
These concerns were raised at the first Regional Congress on Mental Health in the Canary Islands, held in La Laguna under the theme “You have the right to be well”. The event, organised by the federation, brought together institutional representatives, healthcare specialists, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges. The demand for participation was so high that all available places were filled within just 24 hours.
Data presented during the congress showed the seriousness of the issue: mental health problems account for 35% of all disabilities in the Canary Islands.
The federation called for urgent action, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts between public administrations and local associations to provide a multidisciplinary, community-based approach to care. They warned that long waiting lists, fragmented services, and treatment dropouts are common, while prevention measures remain underfunded.
“Investing in prevention is efficient in every sense, and it is key to ensuring a healthier future,” the federation said in its closing statement.
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