Child Mental Health Services: Who Qualifies and What You Get

This scheme provides children with access to professional mental health support through the public healthcare system in Spain. It is designed to ensure that young people can receive specialized care within the national health framework.

👤Who it's for

This service is specifically for children who require professional mental health intervention. To qualify for these specialized services, a child must first be referred to the system by their GP. This referral process ensures that the child's needs are formally recognized by a medical professional before they are directed to specialized mental health care.

🎁What you get

Through this scheme, children can access a range of public mental health professionals. This includes access to public child psychologists (psicólogo infantil) and psychiatrists. These specialists work within the national health system to provide care and support tailored to the mental health needs of children.

💰What it costs you

There is no direct monetary cost to the family for accessing these public mental health services. The primary requirement and "cost" in terms of time and effort is obtaining the necessary medical referral. You must coordinate with a pediatrician to initiate the process, as their medical assessment is the required step to move forward with this specific support.

⚠️The catch to know

While the service is part of the public health system, it is important to be aware that long waiting lists are common. Because these services are part of a large national system, there may be a period of time between your initial referral and your actual appointment with a specialist.

📝How to apply

1. Schedule a consultation with your child's pediatrician to discuss their mental health concerns.
2. Work with the pediatrician to secure an official medical referral for specialized services.
3. Follow the specific guidance provided by the health system regarding your upcoming specialist appointment.