It is estimated that one in four people will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. Far from being a cold statistic, this figure reflects a daily reality for millions of people worldwide and represents one of the greatest challenges of our time. Anxiety, depression, addiction, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are just a few examples of conditions which, despite their prevalence, remain surrounded by stigma and face significant barriers to diagnosis and treatment. The complexity of these disorders, combining biological factors with social determinants, calls for multidisciplinary, evidence-based approaches.
For decades, the debate around mental health has oscillated between two poles: those who prioritise biological factors and those who emphasise social determinants. However, cutting-edge research shows that this dichotomy is artificial and hinders progress in truly understanding these disorders. Current science seeks to integrate both approaches by recognising that genetics and neurobiology are in constant interaction with the environment, living conditions and personal experiences. Understanding these interactions is key to developing effective interventions.
Those living with a mental health condition often face not only the symptoms but also social incomprehension and the lack of adequate care resources. Despite the prevalence of these conditions, mental health has historically been neglected in Spain, with investment far below that of neighbouring countries and a critical shortage of professionals. This results in long waiting lists for psychotherapy and an over-reliance on medication as the sole response, sometimes used to treat everyday distress that would benefit from other forms of support. One clear sign of this imbalance is that Spain leads the world in the consumption of anxiolytics and tranquillisers. Delays in diagnosis and the absence of early support increase the risk of isolation, academic or professional difficulties and the worsening of clinical conditions, whereas early intervention and proper access to specialised care can significantly improve the trajectory of these disorders.
Research in this field is advancing rapidly, with projects focused on developing new therapeutic approaches, identifying risk biomarkers, strengthening prevention, gaining a better understanding of the interaction between biological factors and social determinants, and promoting integrated care models.
Experts agree that psychiatry and mental health currently face three major challenges. The first is prevention. For many years, it was thought that prevention was not possible in mental health, but we now know that it is. It is particularly effective during childhood and adolescence, and an increasing number of professionals are working to implement early interventions that have proven effective, such as the prevention of suicide or depression. In some countries, issues related to prevention and mental health have even been incorporated into the school curriculum, so that children and teenagers can learn to recognise and manage their emotions.
The second major challenge is linked to genetics and personalised medicine, which will enable more accurate and consistent diagnoses over time, making it possible to improve the choice of treatments.
The third lies in new therapeutic approaches, whether pharmacological, psychotherapeutic or a combination of the two. These include new rapid-acting antidepressants that can relieve treatment-resistant depression in a matter of hours, and the controlled use of psychedelic substances which, when combined with traditional psychotherapy, are showing remarkable results in “resetting” affected brain circuits. In addition, third-wave psychotherapy is proving highly effective in treating depression and anxiety.
One of the most serious issues is suicide, which is closely linked to depression. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 800,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, and many more attempt it. In Spain, more than 10 people take their own lives every day. It is the leading cause of death among young people in the country, and the second globally among those aged 15 to 29. The rise in suicides over the past two decades highlights the urgent need to strengthen prevention strategies and improve access to specialised care. Current research is focused on accurately identifying individuals at high risk. Groundbreaking projects are using mobile technology and sensors to monitor behaviour patterns in real time and detect changes that may signal an imminent crisis, with the aim of intervening early using personalised tools.
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable. Over the past twenty years, hospital admissions for depression among young people, especially girls, have soared, along with a marked rise in self-harm and suicide attempts. The pandemic worsened this situation, leading to an increase in anxiety and eating disorders, as well as unwanted loneliness among young people. All of this highlights the urgent need to strengthen child and adolescent mental health care, providing more staff and targeted prevention programmes.
What progress is being made in tackling mental health issues? How can we ensure earlier and more effective care? What role do biology and social determinants play in their development? In what ways can research, innovation and public policy help transform mental health in the future? How can we reduce the excessive reliance on medication and promote more holistic approaches to mental health? How can we break down the stigma that still surrounds these conditions? How should we address the link between mental health problems and addictions in order to improve prevention and treatment? And are we ready to make the most of the therapeutic innovations already within our reach?
To discuss these issues, we will be joined by three leading experts, psychiatrists Enrique Baca García, Josep Maria Haro Abad and Víctor Pérez Sola who, drawing on their frontline experience in clinical practice and research, will share the latest scientific advances in understanding, treating and preventing mental health disorders.
Speakers:
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Enrique Baca García, head of the Department of Psychiatry at Rey Juan Carlos University Hospital (HURJC), Infanta Elena University Hospital (HUIE) and Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (HUFJD), and professor of Psychiatry at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM).
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Josep Maria Haro Abad, director of the Teaching, Research and Innovation Unit of the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu in Sant Boi de Llobregat, researcher at the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu and the CIBER of Mental Health (CIBERSAM), and associate professor of Medicine at the Universitat de Barcelona.
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Víctor Pérez Sola, Director of the Healthcare and Medical Division at Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, researcher at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute (HMRIB) and at the CIBER of Mental Health (CIBERSAM), and associate professor of Psychiatry at Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
Moderator:
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Esther Armora, science and health journalist at ABC.
Projects supported by ”la Caixa” Foundation:
