Canary Islands face mental health service shortages and regional inequality

Mental health services in the Canary Islands face significant regional disparities and increasing demand. According to reports presented to the Parliament of the Canary Islands by ADSPC and Intersindical Canaria, there is a severe lack of residential mental health placements in certain areas. While Tenerife and Gran Canaria have over 400 residential spots each, the islands of La Gomera and El Hierro have none, despite having several thousand inhabitants. This shortage contributes to a ‘revolving door’ phenomenon where patients are repeatedly readmitted to acute units because they lack stable housing or long-term recovery environments.

In primary care, the demand for psychological services is rising. The Canary Islands Health Service (SCS) currently employs 53 psychologists across its primary care program, which is only 50% implemented across the islands. Over the last 18 months, these professionals have handled approximately 29,720 users and over 50,000 consultations. Common diagnoses include anxiety (46%), adaptive disorders (26%), and depression (17%).

Despite the increase in staff since 2022, waiting lists remain a challenge. Patients must be referred by a family doctor, with average wait times for an initial appointment ranging from one month to two and a half months in more populated areas like Tenerife and Gran Canaria.