Spain is facing a disturbing development: the number of work absences due to psychological illnesses has doubled in just five years. This silent epidemic not only burdens those affected but also significantly impacts the country’s economy.
Mental Ailments: A Growing Burden
Psychological illnesses such as anxiety disorders, depression, and burnout are on the rise in Spain, becoming the third most common cause of prolonged sick leave. Only cancer and cardiovascular diseases lead to longer periods of absence. On average, affected individuals are absent from work for almost 100 days, highlighting the urgency of the problem. The Spanish social security system has to spend around 15 billion euros annually on sick pay and related benefits, illustrating the financial implications of this development.
Who is Particularly Affected?
A clear pattern emerges among those affected: women are significantly more prone to sick leave due to psychological reasons than men. Likewise, older employees, especially from the age of 50, are disproportionately affected by this trend. Returning to work often proves difficult for these groups, which further extends the duration of sick leave and increases pressure on the healthcare system.
Causes and Accelerators of the Trend
Experts identify several factors contributing to this increase. These include growing workloads and economic uncertainty. Improved medical diagnostics and a societal shift in dealing with mental health also contribute to more cases being recorded. The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly accelerated this trend, but even after the acute health crisis subsides, numbers continue to rise, indicating a deeper structural problem.
Solutions and Demands
Given this alarming development, health experts are calling for targeted measures. These include increased psychological support within the state healthcare system, shorter waiting times for therapies, and improved prevention in companies. Although some companies are already investing in mental health programs, there is a lack of a nationwide strategy. The Spanish Association of Psychologists emphasizes the need to no longer treat mental health as a taboo subject or a marginal problem. It is a societal issue that urgently requires political and economic responses to mitigate the negative impacts on Spanish society and economy.
