Cabildo to Enhance Home Care for Mental Health Users in the Canary Islands

In a significant move to improve mental health care, the Cabildo of the Canary Islands has announced plans to facilitate and expand domiciliary care services for individuals with mental health needs. This initiative aims to provide more comprehensive and personalized support to those who require ongoing care in the comfort of their own homes.

Addressing Mental Health Gaps

The decision comes in response to growing concerns about the adequacy of current mental health services, particularly for homeless individuals who often face mental health crises. Recent advocacy by local leaders, such as Bermúdez, has highlighted the need for more robust support systems to ensure that those discharged from hospitals receive the necessary follow-up care[5].

Enhanced Care Services

The new domiciliary care program will focus on providing tailored medical and psychological support to patients in their homes. This approach is designed to reduce the need for hospital admissions and to improve the overall quality of life for individuals with mental health conditions. The program will include regular home visits by healthcare professionals, medication management, and psychological therapy sessions.

Community Integration

A key aspect of this initiative is the integration of mental health care into the community. By providing care in a home setting, the Cabildo hopes to reduce stigma associated with mental illness and encourage greater community involvement in supporting those with mental health needs. This approach aligns with the broader goals of healthcare providers in the region, such as the Hospiten hospital network, which is committed to offering high-quality, patient-centered care[3].

Implementation and Impact

The implementation of this program is expected to begin in the coming months, with a phased rollout across different islands of the Canary archipelago. The Cabildo has pledged to allocate additional resources to ensure the success of this initiative, including training for healthcare staff and the establishment of a dedicated hotline for mental health support.

This move is seen as a positive step towards addressing the complex needs of mental health users in the Canary Islands, offering them a more supportive and inclusive environment to manage their conditions. For expats living in the region, this development underscores the commitment of local authorities to improving healthcare services, making the Canary Islands an even more attractive place to live.