Introduction:

The objective of this study is to evaluate the implementation of the community mental health care model in the Spanish state in 2014. Secondly, we aim to analyze the changes experienced by the model in 2008, in relation to the economic recession.

Materials and methods:

We adopted the definition of community model proposed in the Strategy in Mental Health of the National Health System; according to which the model is based on 8 principles and is implemented by means of 39 care practices. The Autonomous Boards of the Spanish Association of Neuropsychiatry conducted a survey on the degree of compliance with the community model in each autonomous community.

Results:

Responses were obtained from 13 Autonomous Boards, which provided information on the 93% of the Spanish population.

Conclusion:

The most important shortcomings in the implementation of the community model in 2014 were related to the absence of a public health perspective, to poor management and accountability, and a slowdown in the diversification of community-based teams, services and networks. Globally, the model changed little between 2008 and 2014, but some key practices, such as the free and universal health coverage, the sectorization, the shortening of waiting times, the financial support to users and associations of relatives, and the implementation of the “Dependency Act”, deteriorated substantially in many autonomous communities. However, other practices, such as the computerization of medical files, individualized care plans (Care Programme Approach), and the assertive community treatment, increased their coverage in some communities despite the recession.

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