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Mental health service demand in Spain and South America

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2026-10-08 18:04 UTC → 2026-10-10 21:30 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Mental health service demand and concerns have risen across several South American and European regions, often linked to environmental disasters or social stressors. In Spain and Colombia, natural disasters have triggered significant surges in psychological assistance needs. Following the 2024 DANA floods in the Valencian Community, Spain, mental health service demand reached record levels, prompting the development of new infrastructure like the Trauma Care Reference Center (CRAT). In Cali, Colombia, an earthquake in August caused a doubling of calls for psychological help and damaged physical healthcare infrastructure. In Ecuador, high levels of stress and anxiety persist. The Ministry of Public Health recorded over 608,000 mental health consultations between January and June 2023, with stress-related disorders being the most frequent diagnosis. In Quito, surveys indicate that 80% of people find life stressful, while 14.7% report permanent ~~anxiety, driving interest in CBD as a wellness complement for sleep and mood.~~ anxiety. In ~~Bogotá,~~ Mexico, approximately 19.3% of adults experience severe anxiety symptoms, while over 30% report mild to moderate symptoms. In Colombia, trends vary by region. In Bogotá, officials have raised alarms regarding high suicide rates among older adults and widespread loneliness. Reports from the 2026 District Mental Health Forum highlighted 84 suicides among older adults across the years 2024, 2025, and 2026. Councilwoman Rocío Dussán noted that over 50% of elderly residents in Bogotá live with moderate to high levels of loneliness. While completed suicides have recently shown a downward trend, data from Bogotá Cómo Vamos indicates a sustained increase in suicidal ideation between 2020 and 2025. Helpline interventions via ‘Línea 106’ rose from 55,647 in 2020 to 159,879 in 2025, with women accounting for 61.1% of contacts. In Montería, Colombia, Mayor Hugo Kerguelén García reported a significant decrease in suicide mortality, with rates dropping from 4.34 to 2.78 per 100,000 inhabitants between 2023 and 2025, attributed to community initiatives and specialized clinics. Conversely, in Necochea, Argentina, the District IX of the College of Psychologists has petitioned for a national mental health emergency declaration following 16 recorded suicides in 2025.

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