Rising Concerns Over the Mental Health Of Spain’s Youth As 59.3% Report Experiencing Disorders
Health News
Published: 10 October 2023 16:00 CET
According to data from the 'IV Youth Barometer 2023: Health and Well-being,' conducted by the 'Fundación Mutua Madrileña y Fad Juventud,' a concerning 59.3% of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 in Spain admit to grappling with mental health challenges.
As World Mental Health Day was observed on October 10, this organisation has released a study highlighting that material deprivation plays a significant role in determining the state of one's mental health. Of those who cannot afford professional mental health consultations, 27.1% report experiencing disorders very frequently or continuously. In contrast, this percentage drops to 13.1% among those who can afford such consultations.
Among the young people who reported experiencing psychological or psychiatric issues in the past twelve months, 62.5% sought professional help—an increase from 51% in 2021. The primary obstacle preventing young people from seeking professional assistance for their mental health concerns is the economic burden.
Additionally, 31.7% of respondents disclosed that they had used psychotropic medications. Alarmingly, more than half of these individuals took medication without a prescription, constituting 17.8%, compared to 13.9% who used prescribed medications.
Furthermore, 23.8% of the young participants admitted to having had suicidal thoughts at some point. Among them, 11.3% reported frequent thoughts of suicide, while 13.8% experienced such thoughts continuously. Specifically, young people experiencing mild and severe material deprivation had suicidal ideations at rates of 29.8% and 34.8%, respectively.
Growing Concerns Regarding Mental Health in Spain
The 'Mental Health Day' study conducted by Ipsos highlights that Spain ranks as the second European country with the highest level of concern about mental health, following Sweden (67%). Sweden has long expressed concern about this issue, with 59% of its population identifying it as a major health problem in 2018, even before the pandemic.
While 77% of the Spanish population acknowledges the importance of mental health, 74% more frequently consider their physical health. This trend is particularly pronounced among women and young individuals, who prioritise their mental well-being.
This preference is also reflected in the perception of the healthcare system, with only 23% of the population believing that mental and physical health are equally prioritised in Spain. This places Spain at the same level of concern as Belgium among European countries.
Stress and mental health are closely linked, and the study reveals that stress is the third most significant health problem globally, with 30% of respondents citing it as a concern, rising to 33% in Spain. Post-pandemic, stress has increased by over 9 points worldwide and by more than 15 points in Spain.
Source: Cadenaser
