Elche hospitals handle more than 130 mental health-related consultations every day

Over the last five years, Elche’s two health departments have seen a more than 30% increase in the number of mental health consultations. The overall number of consultations at Elche Health Department – General Hospital increased by more than 32% between 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2024. Consultations for children’s mental health have increased by over 600% over the same period, indicating family sensitivity and the regional administration’s commitment to strengthening services for young people with mental health issues.

Specifically, the Elche General Hospital’s 2024 activity report shows a total of 47,835 mental health consultations, or more than 130 each day, not only at the hospital but also in specific health centres. Meanwhile, psychology consultations at the Vinalopó Hospital (which serves Elche, Aspe, Crevillent, Hondón de las Nieves, and Hondón de los Frailes) grew from almost 25,000 in 2019 to more than 35,000 last year.

The past five years have been defined by the epidemic

At the General Hospital, the entire figure reflects a 2% rise over the 46,894 consultations reported in 2023. The comparison to 2019 is even more telling since that year saw 36,110 mental health appointments. The increase from 36,110 consultations in 2019 to 47,835 in 2024 is a 32.5% increase in healthcare activity in the area over a five-year period dominated by the pandemic and its social and emotional implications.

Highly in demand

“Mental health care is a high-demand service. The number of patients has significantly increased. Dr. Luis Fabián Mahecha, head of the Mental Health Service at Vinalopó Hospital, adds that people referred from Primary Care clinics are not only observed in the Mental Health Unit, but also in the number of cases handled in hospitals and emergency departments.

Psychological consultations at this facility totalled just over 30,000 in 2023, up from 35,000 in 2004.

The evolution

Returning to Elche General University Hospital (HGUE), a detailed breakdown of activities by speciality provides a more full picture of the caseload’s evolution. The Child Mental Health Psychiatry Unit is the one experiencing the most increase. In 2019, 791 consultations were reported in this area. This amount increased to 4,965 in 2023, and it is expected to reach 5,594 by 2024. The forecast implies a 607.2% increase from 2019, with a 12.7% increase between 2023 and 2024 alone. This report highlights the increased demand for psychological and psychiatric services for children and adolescents.

Other HGUE specialities show large increases between 2019 and 2024. For example, the number of consultations supervised by Mental Health Psychology went from 7,534 in 2019 to 10,917 in 2023 and 11,071 in 2024, representing a 47% increase over 2019 and 1.4% over 2023.

It is apparent, then, that the demand for ongoing patient care has increased recently. Dr. Luis Fabián Mahecha emphasises, “We have primarily treated disorders with core symptoms of anxiety, sadness, and suicidal ideation. On the other hand, chronic psychotic disorders persist and require continuous monitoring to prevent decompensation. Activity continues to increase, particularly in psychology.” In general, the Vinalopó Hospital says that booked consultations for mental health have increased by 33% since 2019.

Social workers

Mental Health Social Work consultations (a type of care in which a social worker intervenes to promote the social adaptation of people with mental illnesses) nearly tripled from 2019 (1,160 consultations) to 3,680 in 2024, despite a 3.7% reduction from 3,823 in 2023.

Psychiatric consultations (not mental health) grew from 2,818 in 2019 to 3,135 in 2023 and 3,527 in 2024. This represents a 25.1% increase in five years and a 12.5% increase over 2023.

Nursing/Mental Health Nursing activity climbed 13.2% from 2019 (5,512 consultations) to 6,240 in 2024, up 3.7% from 6,020 in 2023.

Clinical Psychology is the only category where the volume of consultations has decreased from 2019, falling from 2,317 to 1,972 in 2024, a 14.9% decrease (-8.4% from 2023). Mental Health Psychiatry consultations were largely consistent, with 15,978 in 2019, 15,881 in 2023, and 15,751 in 2024, representing a 1.4% total drop.

Successive enquiries

The ratio of subsequent consultations per initial consultation similarly shows a minor increase in the proportion of follow-ups per patient who initiates therapy over time.

The Elche-General Hospital Health Department divides mental health services among Adult Mental Health Units, a Child Mental Health Unit, and Addictive Behaviour Units.