New TORRENOVA facility serves 30 users and sets regional benchmark – with 24-hour residence planned for 2026
TORREVIEJA, Spain – In a landmark move for mental health services in the Vega Baja region, the TORRENOVA Day Center officially opened its doors on October 20, 2024, becoming the first facility of its kind dedicated to individuals with severe mental illnesses in the entire comarca.
The €1.35 million project represents a successful public-private partnership between the Generalitat Valenciana (€750,000), the Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja (€437,000), and the Fundación ADIEM (€163,000). The land was granted by the local council under a 75-year concession, ensuring long-term stability for the initiative.
Located on Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas, adjacent to the existing CRIS mental health unit, the center currently serves 30 users and has created between 12 and 14 new professional positions. It operates from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including a full dining service, offering structured therapeutic activities, socialization, and professional support tailored to users with severe and persistent mental health conditions.
“This is another example of how public-private collaboration delivers positive outcomes. Today, we celebrate facilities that are not only essential for Torrevieja but for the entire Vega Baja region.”
— Eduardo Dolón, Mayor of Torrevieja
A Model of Rapid Implementation and Full Occupancy
Remarkably, the center was constructed and fully operational within under 10 months — a timeline praised by Francisco “Paco” Canales, General Manager of Fundación ADIEM. “All 30 places were filled immediately upon opening,” he confirmed during the official visit on November 6, 2024.
The TORRENOVA facility functions as an independent yet complementary annex to the existing ADIEM center and the CRIS unit, which currently supports 73 individuals. Together, these services form a continuum of care that addresses varying levels of need within the community.
Key Facts – TORRENOVA Day Center
- Capacity: 30 users with severe mental illness
- Staff: 12–14 new specialized positions
- Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (including meals)
- Investment: €1,350,000
- Opening Date: October 20, 2024
- Status: 100% occupancy
Future Expansion: A 24-Hour Residential Facility in 2026
During the inauguration, Mayor Eduardo Dolón announced the next phase: construction of a residential home for individuals requiring extensive 24-hour support will begin in 2026 on a municipal plot directly behind the day center. The residence will accommodate 7 residents needing constant supervision and is expected to enter service by early 2027.
This residential project will complete a comprehensive care ecosystem in Torrevieja, bridging day services with full-time residential support — a model increasingly recognized as best practice in European mental health policy.
Regional Significance and Broader Context
The Vega Baja comarca, with a population exceeding 170,000 across 27 municipalities, has long lacked specialized day services for severe mental health. According to the Spanish Confederation of Mental Health (Salud Mental España), approximately 1 in 4 adults will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, with severe conditions affecting 2–3% of the population. The opening of TORRENOVA addresses a critical gap, reducing pressure on families, hospitals, and emergency services.
Ana María Martín, director of the center, emphasized the human impact: “Every user here has a personalized plan. We focus on autonomy, social inclusion, and relapse prevention — not just containment.”
The speed of implementation and full immediate uptake underscore both the urgent unmet need and the effectiveness of tripartite funding models. Fundación ADIEM, a nonprofit with over 30 years of experience in Alicante province, has positioned Torrevieja as a regional leader in inclusive mental health infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
As TORRENOVA begins its first full month of operation, local authorities and ADIEM are already planning outreach programs to nearby towns such as Orihuela, Guardamar, and Rojales. The planned 2026 residence will further solidify Torrevieja’s role as a hub for advanced mental health care in southern Alicante.
Mayor Dolón concluded: “Mental health is not a secondary issue — it is the foundation of a compassionate and functional society. Today, we prove that political will, private expertise, and community trust can deliver real change.”
The TORRENOVA Day Center stands as a beacon of progress — and a promise of more to come.
