Madrid has seen a sharp increase in young people seeking psychological help over the past year. Since March 2023, a special support service for adolescents and youth aged 14 to 30 has received more than 21,000 requests. Only fourteen specialists work around the clock, answering calls, messages, and emails, striving to assist those facing difficult life situations.
Most requests come in by phone and through messaging apps. The average conversation lasts over half an hour, with topics ranging from anxiety and stress to relationship issues, addiction, and eating disorders. Despite the high demand for the service, the number of staff is clearly insufficient for the workload: there are only a few professionals in the entire autonomy, making it impossible to provide individual attention and regular support.
Long waits and not enough specialists
The problem is made worse by how difficult it is to get a face-to-face appointment with a psychologist at public institutions in Madrid. Waiting times can stretch to months—sometimes even up to four months. Even if the situation isn’t critical, such as a suicide risk, young people are forced to wait to be seen. During this time, anxious thoughts and inner conflicts continue to build up, and their condition can get worse.
In the region, there are only four psychologists per 100,000 residents, while in other European countries this figure is several times higher. As a result, many teenagers and young adults with anxiety disorders or depression are left without timely support. The system only responds to the most acute cases, while prevention and early intervention are virtually nonexistent.
Online support: a lifesaver or a temporary fix?
Psychological assistance by phone and messenger has become the only way for many to receive support. These services operate daily, without holidays, from 3:00 p.m. to midnight, and there are no limits on the number of requests. However, experts admit: emergency support cannot replace full-fledged therapy. Without further follow-up and regular sessions, many young people risk being left without the help they need, and their problems may get worse.
The most common reasons for seeking help are anxiety, stress, relationship problems with loved ones, and signs of depression. If there is a danger to life or urgent intervention is needed, specialists refer callers to emergency services. But for most young people facing emotional difficulties, such support is not enough.
Pandemic and new challenges for youth
The coronavirus pandemic has been a catalyst for the decline in the mental and emotional well-being of young people. Forced isolation, uncertainty about the future, difficulties finding a job and living independently — all have contributed to increased anxiety and insecurity. Many young residents of Madrid face questions they cannot answer: how to start living on their own, where to find stable employment, how to balance studies with work.
Regional authorities admit that the current support system cannot cope with the volume of requests. The free psychological assistance service continues to operate, but experts insist: without increasing the number of specialists and integrating with the public healthcare system, the situation is unlikely to change. More than 20,000 requests in a year are just the tip of the iceberg, masking a much larger mental health crisis among young people in Madrid.
