Soaring Mental Health Issues

A national survey conducted recently has found that one out of every four Polish adults surveyed satisfies the criteria for depression and that more than half of the respondents indicated that they had experienced at least four of the symptoms of depression. Despite most attendees reporting "good" mental health overall, here's what they actually admitted.

Two-thirds of adults suffer from that indefinite, benumbing gloom known as chronic fatigue at least occasionally, and almost 30 percent feel a pervading sense of isolation and a consequent sense of desperation, according to the study. The results come from a survey of a random sample of 647 adults in Poland in the final quarter of 2024.

Who Is Most Affected
Among young adults (ages 18 to 24), 32% reported feeling depressed, as did 17% of adults ages 25-34. Individuals with income less than €230 per month had an 18% rate of depressive symptoms, a rate greater in women than in men.

Still, while experiencing a number of these symptoms, it's crucial to remember that demonstrating many signs of depression doesn't equal a clinical one. Yet the figures, high as they are, point to widespread emotional suffering among broad segments of the population.

Access and Barriers to Mental Health Care
Young people are particularly at risk, said Marta Marchlewska from the Institute of Psychology, and were left depleted, anxious and feeling life had no purpose. She connects these personal struggles to broader themes such as war, the fallout of pandemics, and never-ending information overload.

Nearly half of the people surveyed have considered seeing a psychologist, but many don't take the next step. The top reasons are a sense of shame, not knowing where to start and distrust in therapy. And finally, Marchlewska noted how mental health issues are perceived as taboo in Poland, which makes it far more difficult to talk openly or seek help. She pointed out the lack of quality mental health education, where people often form opinions from assumptions and entertainers rather than reliable sources.

The study calls for more education and awareness around mental health, particularly as societal and financial pressures continue to impact people's emotional health.

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