Mental health: statistics, problems and help

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the stresses of everyday life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to society. Mental health affects us in all our activities and at every stage of life, so mental health is a value for us all. Physical and mental health are equally important and mutually influence each other. 

Mental health statistics

It is estimated that annually mental health problem every fifth person, but throughout life Every second person in the world has experienced mental health problems during the year. Mental health has also been studied in Estonia.

Estonian population mental health survey (2022) data show that nearly one in four adults are at risk of depression and one in five adults are at risk of generalized anxiety disorder. Young adults are at significantly higher risk. According to a registry study, nearly one in four adults had at least one mental disorder diagnosis in the period 2016–2021, the most common of which were depression (12.4%) and anxiety disorders (9.8%). Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the risk of depression and anxiety disorders has increased.

Estonian adult population health behavior survey (2020) results confirm the prevalence of mental health problems. 21.21% of respondents, or 17.11% of men and 24.01% of women, felt more than usual or unbearable stress, with the figure for women increasing compared to the 2018 survey (20.71% in 2018). The incidence of suicidal thoughts has also increased over the past 12 months: while in 2018 there were 5.71% of such respondents, in 2020 it was 8.11%. The increase in suicidal thoughts is particularly noticeable among young adults (16–24 years old), where the figure has almost doubled compared to the previous survey (26.01% vs. 14.01%), and overall, the change in this age group over the past 10 years has been nearly fourfold.

The mental health statistics of Estonian youth are thought-provoking. Estonian School Student Health Behavior Survey (HBSC) According to the latest data, 401% of girls and almost a fifth of boys (mostly aged 11, 13 and 15) have felt sad or depressed more than once a week in the past six months. A third of students have been bullied at school in the past few months. 

According to the Mental Health Green Paper The most common mental health disorder diagnosis in the youngest age group (up to 4 years) is autism. Conduct disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety disorders are prevalent among 5–14 year olds, and anxiety disorders, conduct disorders and depressive disorders are prevalent among 15–19 year olds. In the age group 20–59, the most common mental health disorder diagnosis is alcohol use disorder (31.7%), followed by depressive disorders (19.8%) and anxiety disorders (14.4%). From the age of 60, the most common mental health disorder diagnosis is depressive disorders (40.8%), followed by alcohol use disorder (18.6%) and anxiety disorders (16.6%).

Based on the research conducted, we see that it is important to pay sufficient attention to mental health. It is especially important to notice mental health problems in young people and find ways to support mental health and provide help.

Causes and factors of mental health problems

World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that factors that influence mental health include a person's individual characteristics, experiences and behavioural patterns as well as socio-economic circumstances and the environment. In a WHO overview document “Risks to mental health” The possible risk factors and protective factors for mental health problems are detailed.

	Risk factors	Protective factors
Individual-level factors	Low self-esteem Cognitive/emotional immaturity Communication difficulties Poor physical health, substance abuse	Self-confidence, self-esteem Ability to solve problems, manage stress Good communication and self-expression skills Good physical health and fitness
Socio-economic factors	Loneliness, grief Neglect, family conflicts Violence/abuse Low income and poverty Learning difficulties or failure at school Work stress, unemployment	Social support from family and friends Good parenting and family bonding Physical security Economic security and stability Educational achievements Job satisfaction and professional success
Environmental factors	Poor access to basic services Injustice and discrimination Social and gender inequality War or disasters	Equal access to basic services Social justice, tolerance and integration Social and gender equality Physical safety and security

We have previously written in more depth on our blog about the two most common mental health problems – anxiety disorder and depression, but there are different types of mental health disorders. More information can be found at The main thing from the website. 

Major mental health problems

Children's mental health at school

Most mental health problems develop in childhood or young adulthood: 50% of mental health problems manifest before the age of 14 and 75% before the age of 24. School is a place where children spend a large part of their time, learn new skills and interact with different people. We highlight problems related to the school environment that can affect a child's mental well-being:

• Study-related stress, the pressure that comes with it, preparing for exams and understanding the study material can cause stress and anxiety.
• School bullying, which can be emotionally traumatic and cause low self-esteem.
• Social relationsProblems with friends or peers, conflicts, or loneliness can have a strong impact on mental health.
• Bad relationship or conflict(s) with teacher(s) can contribute to a loss of motivation and learning difficulties, reduce feelings of security, and worsen overall mental well-being. 
• Overtime making and excessive pressure, or placing excessive demands on students, can contribute to the development of stress and anxiety.
• Lack of physical activity and too much sitting affects overall health and well-being.
• Fear of evaluation and judgment, which can cause anxiety in some children, affect self-confidence and motivation.

Early detection and intervention are essential to reduce or stop the later onset of mental health disorders, as many mental health disorders are preventable and treatable. Without early diagnosis and treatment, children with mental health disorders may experience problems at home, at school, and in making friends, and may also disrupt the child's overall development, causing problems that may continue into adulthood. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the mental health and safety of school children in the school environment.

Depression and other mental health illnesses can manifest themselves in different ways in children. The Children's Help page can be found on many different websites, for example: symptoms indicative of depression in different age groups. 

Materials on the topic of children's mental health have been created, for example: publications of the project “Let's talk about children”.

Mental health in the workplace

Mental health can suffer at work for a number of reasons, and these reasons can vary depending on the workplace, working conditions, and individual characteristics. Common problems include:

• Work stress, which can be caused by high workload, lack of time, unrealistic expectations, deadline pressure, and increased responsibility
• Fear of job loss and constant changes in the organization
• Physically unhealthy work environments and conditions, noise, poor air quality, unsuitable temperatures and uncomfortable working positions can have a negative impact on physical and mental well-being.
• Conflicts with colleagues or superiors and incorrect feedback
• Discrimination, unequal treatment and injustice at work 
• Poor management, lack of coaching and development opportunities, and insufficient recognition and motivation
• A situation where a person feels lonely at work, does not receive enough support from colleagues, or feels left out, which in turn can lead to depression and anxiety
• Lack of work-life balance

Employees with good mental health are more successful at work and happier in life. Valuing and supporting mental health in the workplace has a positive impact, helping the company achieve success and customer satisfaction, building a good reputation for the organization among both customers and employees, and the number of days absent from work is likely to be lower.

Created for employers and employees a publication to support mental health in the workplaceThe employer's contribution to creating a mentally healthy work environment is as important as the employee's own efforts to do so. The main thing in collaboration with the law firm Derling has created a simple and clear recommendation good practice in the workplace and has also brought together various materials for companiesto promote mental health support in the workplace.

Mental health in a relationship

It is important that we understand the impact of mental health on our relationships and vice versa. About how a bad relationship can damage mental health and lead to depression, we have also written on our blog. However, it is also important to consider that mental health disorders do not only affect one person, but can also affect loved ones and relationships with them. For example, communication difficulties, tension and stress, loss of trust and social isolation can occur.

Healthy relationships support mental health, and good mental health, in turn, helps create and maintain healthy relationships.

How to maintain mental health?

There are some general recommendations that can be followed to manage stress and anxiety.

• Take breaks from watching the news and in the use of social mediaIt's good to stay informed, but constant information about negative events can be distracting. Consider limiting your news to a few times a day.
• Take care of your physical health: eat healthy; get enough sleep and be physically active.
• Limit your alcohol consumption. You can read more about the effects of alcohol consumption and options for reducing and quitting alcohol. from the alkinfo website.
• Avoid using illegal or prescription drugs in ways other than as prescribed. Do not take someone else's prescription drugs. 
• Avoid smoking, vaping, and other tobacco products. People can and do quit smoking for good. You can read about the effects of tobacco use, how to reduce it, or how to quit using it. tobacco information from the website.
• Continue with regular health checkups, tests, screenings.
• Take time to relax. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try doing activities that you enjoy.
• Connect with other people. Talk about your concerns and feelings with people you trust. Reach out to your community-based or faith-based organizations.

Mental health care and treatment

The prerequisite for receiving mental health help is to notice problems. It is possible to take a mental health test to assess how you are feeling and to notice the need for help. The disadvantage of such mental health tests is some inaccuracy, as the questions can be interpreted subjectively, but it is an accessible and inexpensive method to get an initial assessment of mental health, so that you can then consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment if necessary. 

There are various mental health tests. For example, with the support of the Ministry of Social Affairs and implemented by the Mental Health and Well-being Coalition, well-being questionnaire, which is suitable for ages 16 and up. The main thing is that you can fill out the form on the website. emotional well-being questionnaire (abridged version), in addition, for example, school stress test, work stress test and several other mental health tests.

If the result of a mental health test indicates a possible mental health problem, help can be obtained through counseling and/or medication. Self-help and community support are also important.

Mental health counseling

If you experience any symptoms of a mental health disorder that affect your daily life, you can contact various specialists with your concerns. There are various options for mental health counseling: both paid and free, either on site, by phone or online. Some of them are listed on this website. mental health care options. 

Mental health counseling services may be provided by: soul keeper, clinical psychologist, experiential counselor, school psychologist, psychiatrist, psychological counselor, family therapist, pregnancy crisis counselor, creative therapist, psychotherapist, mental health nurse. They can work, for example, in hospitals-outpatient clinics, private practices, educational institutions, mental health centers, rehabilitation centers, child and youth mental health centers. The specifics of the services of mental health specialists outlined can give you a better overview and then you can find the most suitable one for you, taking into account the counselor's background and personal preferences.

At the Healthy Living Center we offer soul care. 

Mental health medications

In addition to counseling and therapy, medications, which can be prescribed by a family doctor or psychiatrist, can also be helpful in certain situations. Different diseases are treated with different medications, and more comprehensive information about medicines can be obtained from the website of the Main Page. It is important to follow the recommendations of your doctor and to report any side effects or changes in how you feel.

Self-help (including Christian worldview)

Self-help can significantly support mental health by helping people develop a positive state of mind, cope with stress, and find meaning and purpose in life. Self-help as a preventive measure helps prevent excessive stress and the emergence and worsening of mental problems. It is very important that people are able to pay attention to, analyze, and understand their own and their loved ones' behavior, feelings, and thoughts. 

Many also find a Christian worldview helpful, helping to shape positive values and encouraging forgiveness of self and others. Meditation and prayer, which go hand in hand with a Christian worldview, can help achieve inner peace and reduce stress and anxiety. Community support and interaction with other Christians can provide a supportive environment where people can share their experiences, feel understood, and find comfort.

A healthy mind in a healthy body 

The importance of mental health is difficult to overestimate. Every year on October 10, World Mental Health Day is celebrated at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), and October has become Mental Health Month. However, it is worth paying attention to maintaining, supporting, preventing and solving problems in the mental health of adults and children on a daily basis so that the mental health situation in Estonia improves and allows everyone to find a balance between physical and mental health and live a full life.