The mental health of children and adolescents in Spain faces an unprecedented crisis, and it is our collective responsibility to respond immediately and effectively. During the year 2022 alone, psychiatric consultations and admissions in children under 18 years of age tripled. Suicidal behaviors increased by 59%, and diagnoses of anxiety, depression and ADHD have increased fourfold since 2019. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was already estimated that approximately 10% of children and 20% of adolescents suffered from some type of mental disorder, a figure that has shot up by 47% since then. This increase is associated with disorders such as anxiety, depression, self-harming and suicidal behaviors, eating disorders, and technology addiction.
Coinciding with the commemoration, this October 8, of Pediatrics Day, our P-Day, and its proximity to World Mental Health Day, on October 10, this open letter, on behalf of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP ), aims to make an urgent call to health, educational, social authorities and public institutions to prioritize the mental health of our minors. The situation is alarming and requires a coordinated and multidisciplinary response to prevent an even greater impact on future generations.
1. The increase in disorders: an emergency in our consultations
In recent years, pediatricians have witnessed a devastating increase in mental disorders among minors. This increase not only deeply affects children and adolescents, but also compromises their future development and well-being. As pediatricians, we are the first to detect the warning signs, but the health system must provide us with the necessary tools to face this emergency. We urge the implementation of prevention programs from the first levels of care, with specific screening protocols at key ages and early intervention strategies in schools and health centers.
2. There is a lack of professionals specialized in children’s mental health
The magnitude of the problem has exceeded the current capabilities of the mental health system. Pediatricians often lack the training necessary to treat complex mental disorders, and the shortage of child psychiatrists and clinical psychologists exacerbates the situation. We demand more specialized training in mental health for pediatricians. We consider it vital that pediatric residents rotate during their training in child psychiatry services and that practicing professionals have access to continuing training.
3. Multidisciplinary care: an imperative
Addressing this mental health crisis requires a multidisciplinary approach. The individual effort of pediatricians is not enough. It is necessary to strengthen collaboration between psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers and educators to provide comprehensive and personalized care to each affected minor. We urge the creation of multidisciplinary teams in primary care centers, where pediatricians can work in coordination with other specialists to guarantee comprehensive care for children and adolescents with mental health disorders.
4. Increase in the severity of cases: it is essential to act in time
Another worrying aspect is the seriousness of the cases we see today. Minors arrive at hospitals in much more critical situations than before, which reflects the lack of early intervention. The increase in hospitalizations and admissions to child psychiatric units clearly indicates that we must improve early detection and immediate responses in the initial stages of disorders. We request an increase in hospital resources and the development of day hospitalization and home care programs to alleviate hospital saturation and ensure adequate treatment in the most serious cases.
5. The role of families in children’s mental health
Families play an essential role in the mental well-being of minors. However, they often lack the tools and knowledge to identify and manage mental health problems at home. We call for the creation of alliances between health professionals, the educational system and social entities to develop support and training programs aimed at families. It is crucial to promote effective communication between all the actors involved, creating an environment of trust and support so that parents can identify problems and act in time.
6. The recognition of pediatric specialties: an urgent need
The official recognition of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as a medical specialty has been an advance, but it is not enough to address current challenges. In Spain, there are pediatric specialty consultations without the professionals who care for them having official recognition. The lack of recognition makes adequate professional training and the organization of healthcare resources difficult.
We demand official recognition of pediatric specialties. This recognition is essential to guarantee the quality of pediatric care and that all minors receive appropriate treatment according to their specific needs, as well as so that health professionals can be adequately trained.
A healthy future for our children
Protecting the mental health of our children and adolescents is an unavoidable duty. Together, we must work for a healthier childhood and adolescence, both physically and mentally. We urge health, educational and social authorities, as well as the entire society, to unite in this cause, providing the necessary resources to ensure a healthy future for our next generations. Because building healthy futures is everyone’s responsibility.
Raimon Pélach Pániker on behalf of the board of directors of the Navarra Association of Pediatrics (ANPE)