Balearic Islands Expand Psychological Care in Health Centers

From mid-October, direct psychological help will be available in many Balearic health centers for the first time. Ten steps—and a clear goal: to support patients earlier and more easily.

More Psychological Help Directly On Site

Early in the morning, when the coffee in the clinic in front of the Plaça slowly warms up, the news sounds almost like a small release: from October 15, new psychologists will start in the Balearic Islands' health centers. The goal is simple: people should be able to raise their concerns without hospital treatment or a long referral path.

What exactly is happening?

In the coming weeks, 16 additional professionals will take up work — nine of them will be deployed on Mallorca. This increases the number of psychologists in primary care to a total of 25. The regional government is providing around 16 million euros for this. The money should ensure that by 2026 psychological support is offered in all health centers.

How will this change daily life?

For many here, this means shorter waiting times, fewer referrals and easier support for depression, anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress. In places like Palma, Manacor or Alcúdia, appointments are likely to be easier to obtain in the future — at least if you go to the consultation on a Tuesday morning, as some doctors at Cathedral Square smile and note.

Practically, this often means: first consultation in the health center, then, if needed, follow-up appointments on site or a targeted referral to specialist clinics. The idea is to stabilize acute cases faster before they require emergency care or inpatient treatment.

Why this is important

Demand for psychological help has risen noticeably in recent years. Many people no longer wait quietly — thankfully. At the same time, hospitals and specialist clinics often have little capacity for routine support. The new regulation aims exactly where most start: in primary care.

When waiting in the hallway, you now hear more often: “Finally.” You can almost read it on people's faces when an appointment is booked at short notice. It is a small but concrete step toward relieving the entire system.

What remains to be clarified?

Logistics, availability and aftercare are not yet finalized for all communities. Some centers will initially offer reduced consultation hours, others plan fixed hours on two to three days per week. It will be important that the new professionals are well connected with General Practitioners and hospitals.

For the people on the islands, the message is clear: psychological support is coming closer, waiting times should fall, and care should be well coordinated — from short crisis assistance to ongoing therapy.

Anyone needing an appointment in the coming weeks: it is worth asking. Health centers usually publish their hours online or on the notice board in the lobby.