Declining mental health of young people in Europe

Subject: Declining mental health of young people in Europe

According to press reports, one in four young people with psychological problems in Italy slip through the social services net, putting them at an increased risk of substance abuse (drug and alcohol addiction) or of developing a gambling habit (particularly online, where the number of young players, between the ages of 15 and 19, is on the rise).

Given that the mental health of young people in Europe is on a downward spiral (between 2005 and 2017, depressive symptoms among adolescents rose by 5.2%), partly owing to the disastrous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is reasonable to suppose that things could continue to get worse.

In the light of the above:

1. Is the Commission aware of the declining mental health of Europe’s youth?

2. What will it do to address this phenomenon at EU level?

Submitted: 7.4.2023

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

(6 June 2023)

The Commission is aware of the increasing mental health challenges of children and young people. The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the climate crisis, unemployment and the increase in living costs have led to worries, anxieties and feelings of depression among citizens, including young people.

The 2022 edition of the Health at a Glance report (1) addressed the impact of COVID-19 on young people’s mental health, and showed that 1 in 2 young Europeans reported unmet mental health needs, and that depression among young people more than doubled.

The Commission is preparing a communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health with the aim to support Member States, who are responsible for mental health services and care, in addressing mental health of children and young people.

In addition, under the 2022 EU4Health work programme, a contribution agreement of EUR 28,4 million has been concluded with the International Federation of Red Cross Societies, which is already providing psychological first aid, and four projects (totalling EUR 3 million) are being carried out by stakeholders implementing best practices to improve mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in migrant and refugee populations.

Two additional projects (each EUR 4 million) started in 2023 to implement two best practices ‘Ice hearts’ and ‘Let’s talk about children’ that address vulnerable children and adolescents.

1 ∙ ⸱ https://health.ec.europa.eu/state-health-eu/health-glance-europe_en | | ( | | )