The Barcelona City Council reported on 12 August 2026 that the municipal youth services in the network Joves de Barcelona in the 2025–26 school year recorded a total of 210,128 uses. This represents an increase of 5.4 per cent on the previous year. According to the council, consultations on education, health and employment were the most frequently requested. The announcement concerns Barcelona in Catalonia.
Joves de Barcelona is aimed at 12- to 35-year-olds and brings together information, guidance and support services at municipal facilities and decentralised service points. Its aim is to provide easily accessible advice across the city on educational, employment, social and health matters.
Since October 2025, EstarB has been a key focus. The integrated psychological and socio-educational service brings together previous services and expands mental health prevention and counselling for people up to the age of 25. Between October 2025 and June 2026, EstarB recorded 16,165 contacts with adolescents and young adults, according to the council; 12,148 were group sessions and 4,017 individual consultations. A further 2,154 contacts with families and 447 with professionals were documented. EstarB reportedly operates at 21 locations across the city and is coordinated with municipal and regional health services.
The city interprets the rising number of service uses as an indication of growing demand for advice, particularly in mental health. The Commissioner for Children’s, Youth and LGTBI Policies, Javier Rodríguez, highlighted the importance of greater emotional support in this context. According to the city council, expanding resources and service hours should further improve access. This means greater coordination will be needed for schools and healthcare providers, as more links are created between municipal services and external institutions.
Evidence: The usage figures published by Barcelona City Council (210,128 in the 2025–26 school year, up 5.4 per cent) and the EstarB figures for October 2025 to June 2026, including its presence at 21 locations, are substantiated. Attributed statements: The interpretation of the figures and the prioritisation of emotional support come from the city’s announcement and public statements by Javier Rodríguez. Projections: The longer-term effectiveness of the measures and future needs remain uncertain and will depend on forthcoming evaluations and independent impact studies.
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).