The Mental Health Commissioner announces an Action Plan against suicide with independent funding

The plan will improve access to mental health services and focus on suicide prevention, with special attention to vulnerable groups

Belén González, the Mental Health Commissioner from the Ministry of Health, presented on Thursday, August 29, before the Health Commission of the Congress of Deputies, the main ongoing projects and announced a new action plan for the 2025-2027 period, which will include co-financing for the autonomous communities. This plan will focus on analyzing the causes and conditions that worsen mental health problems, implementing measures with proven effectiveness.

Regarding the suicide prevention initiative, it was announced that a specific suicide prevention plan will be launched in 2025, which will have independent funding. Additionally, the continuation of existing projects, such as the 024 helpline, was highlighted. The helpline will include improvements, such as recommending health resources to those in need.

This line of prevention, early detection, and care for suicidal behavior includes developing a suicide risk code in the autonomous communities to identify and manage cases of individuals at risk more efficiently. Furthermore, mechanisms and streamlined circuits will be implemented to facilitate access to mental health services for those exhibiting suicidal behavior. Specific initiatives will also be launched to prevent suicide in vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children and adolescents, among others.

The implementation period for these actions is from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.

More detailed information at: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/organizacion/consejoInterterri/docs/1603.pdf