Mental disorders among children and adolescents in Europe are on the rise, especially among girls, and health systems are failing to cope with the increased demand for psychological care, a WHO report warns.
More and more children suffer from anxiety and depression. PHOTO: Shutterstock
A growing number of children and adolescents in Europe are experiencing mental disorders, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The document, developed by the WHO office for Europe, includes information on the state of mental health among young people in the region and draws attention to a worrying trend: emotional and psychological problems are increasingly common, while available services fail to keep up with the real needs of this population category.
One child in seven suffers from mental disorders
According to the report cited by the World Health Organization, approximately one child or adolescent in seven (0-19 years) experiences a mental health disorder. The situation is worse among girls, with data showing that one in four girls between the ages of 15 and 19 suffer from such conditions.
In addition, suicide remains the leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds.
The main causes
The WHO report identifies several main factors contributing to the rise in mental disorders among young Europeans.
These include anxiety and depression from social and academic pressures, trauma from conflict or violence, and stressful life events such as the loss of a parent, family separation, or economic instability.
In addition, limited access to psychological support services and the lack of coherent national policies on youth mental health amplify the effects of these factors, especially among adolescent girls, who are more vulnerable to social pressures and the stigma of mental problems.
According to the report, over the past 15 years, the prevalence of mental disorders has increased by around a third, while health systems have failed to adapt because:
* a quarter of European countries do not have community services dedicated to children and adolescents;
* one state out of five does not have a specific national policy on youth mental health;
* the quality of care varies significantly between countries;
* there is, on average, only one psychiatrist for every 76,000 children and adolescents.
What is the situation in Romania?
Comparative studies show that teenagers in the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Denmark report the best levels of mental well-being, while those in Ukraine, Cyprus and Poland are at the opposite end. In the Faroe Islands, 77% of young people reported a good mental state, followed by Iceland (75%) and Denmark (72%).
In Romania, 74% of boys said they felt good mentally, compared to just 53% of girls, which is at the lower end of the scores reported in the 37 countries analyzed.
In Ukraine, only 43% of teenagers were considered to have a good mental state, a context explained by the trauma caused by the war and by the limited access to psychological support services.
