Eurobarometer: Nearly Half of EU Citizens Experienced Mental Health Issues

Brussels – Nearly half of European Union citizens, 46 percent, reported experiencing psychological, psychosocial, or emotional problems in the past 12 months, according to a new Eurobarometer survey. Germany recorded a significantly higher rate of 57 percent.

The survey indicated that external events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, climate change, and rising energy and food costs have considerably impacted mental well-being. A total of 62 percent of EU citizens stated that these factors had affected their mental health "somewhat" or "a lot." The study was based on a poll conducted in June involving 26,501 individuals from all 27 EU member states.

The survey also found that over half (54 percent) of those experiencing mental health issues did not receive professional help. However, the study did not specify whether this was due to a lack of available services or individuals choosing not to seek help.

In Germany, the situation was slightly better than the EU average, with 49 percent of affected individuals reporting no professional assistance. Of those who did seek help, 22 percent received support from their general practitioner, 12 percent from a psychologist, and 17 percent from the psychiatric sector.

Respondents widely consider mental health as important as physical health, with 89 percent agreeing that promoting mental well-being is equally crucial as promoting physical health. However, less than half of those surveyed believe that individuals with mental health problems receive the same level of care as those with physical ailments.