{"id":4380,"date":"2023-09-03T20:47:34","date_gmt":"2023-09-03T17:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/terveelukeskus.ee\/?p=4380"},"modified":"2024-12-10T10:49:05","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T08:49:05","slug":"mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/terveelukeskus.ee\/en\/mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental health: statistics, problems and help"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

TABLE OF CONTENTS
\n<\/span> Mental health statistics<\/a>
\n<\/span> Children's mental health at school<\/a>
\n<\/span> Mental health in the workplace<\/a>
\n<\/span> How to maintain mental health?<\/a>
\n<\/span> Mental health care and treatment<\/a>
\n<\/span> Mental health counseling<\/a>
\n<\/span> Self-help (including Christian worldview)<\/a><\/div>\n

Mental health statistics<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"MentalIt is estimated that annually mental health problem<\/a> every fifth person, but throughout life <\/span>Every second person in the world has experienced mental health problems during the year. Mental health has also been studied in Estonia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Estonian population mental health survey<\/span><\/a> (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\u20132021, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Estonian adult population health behavior survey <\/span><\/a>(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\u201324 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The mental health statistics of Estonian youth are thought-provoking. <\/span>Estonian School Student Health Behavior Survey (HBSC) <\/span><\/a>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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Mental Health Green Paper<\/span><\/a> 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\u201314 year olds, and anxiety disorders, conduct disorders and depressive disorders are prevalent among 15\u201319 year olds. In the age group 20\u201359, 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%).<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Causes and factors of mental health problems<\/span><\/h2>\n

World Health Organization<\/span><\/a> (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 <\/span>\u201cRisks to mental health\u201d<\/span><\/a> The possible risk factors and protective factors for mental health problems are detailed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nRisk factors<\/span><\/td>\nProtective factors<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Individual-level factors<\/span><\/td>\nLow self-esteem<\/span><\/p>\n

Cognitive\/emotional immaturity<\/span><\/p>\n

Communication difficulties<\/span><\/p>\n

Poor physical health, substance abuse\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Self-confidence, self-esteem<\/span><\/p>\n

Ability to solve problems, manage stress<\/span><\/p>\n

Good communication and self-expression skills<\/span><\/p>\n

Good physical health and fitness<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Socio-economic factors<\/span><\/td>\nLoneliness, grief<\/span><\/p>\n

Neglect, family conflicts<\/span><\/p>\n

Violence\/abuse<\/span><\/p>\n

Low income and poverty<\/span><\/p>\n

Learning difficulties or failure at school<\/span><\/p>\n

Work stress, unemployment<\/span><\/td>\n

Social support from family and friends<\/span><\/p>\n

Good parenting and family bonding<\/span><\/p>\n

Physical security<\/span><\/p>\n

Economic security and stability<\/span><\/p>\n

Educational achievements<\/span><\/p>\n

Job satisfaction and professional success<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Environmental factors<\/span><\/td>\nPoor access to basic services<\/span><\/p>\n

Injustice and discrimination<\/span><\/p>\n

Social and gender inequality<\/span><\/p>\n

War or disasters<\/span><\/td>\n

Equal access to basic services<\/span><\/p>\n

Social justice, tolerance and integration<\/span><\/p>\n

Social and gender equality<\/span><\/p>\n

Physical safety and security<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

We have previously written in more depth on our blog about the two most common mental health problems \u2013 <\/span>anxiety disorder <\/span><\/a>and <\/span>depression<\/span><\/a>, but there are different types of mental health disorders. More information can be found at <\/span>The main thing from the website<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Major mental health problems<\/span><\/h2>\n

Children's mental health at school<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most mental health problems develop in childhood or young adulthood<\/span><\/a>: 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:<\/span><\/p>\n