People in Ireland experience the highest level of difficulty in accessing mental health services among citizens of the 27 EU member states, according to a new EU survey.
Research published by the European Commission shows that Ireland has the highest proportion of citizens claiming that either they or a family member had encountered one or more issues accessing mental health services.
The Eurobarometer poll revealed that 44% of Irish people had a difficulty in receiving treatment for a mental health issue compared to the EU average of 25%.
The results are from a survey conducted in June of almost 27,000 people across all EU member states, including over 1,000 from Ireland, on attitudes to mental health.
Almost three quarters of Irish people who encountered an issue in accessing mental health services said they faced long waiting lists or delays before they received a diagnosis or treatment.
Four out of ten Irish people complained that accessing mental health services was too expensive.
The survey also found that 63% of Irish people said they had experienced an emotional or psychosocial problem, such as feeling depressed or anxious, in the previous 12 months - the third highest level among EU citizens.
It was the third highest rate after Lithuania and Malta, and significantly above the EU average of 46%.
However, 49% of Irish people said they had received no professional health for their mental health problems.
Read more:
European Commission report in full
Mental health - Ireland factsheet
The most common symptoms reported by Irish people were feeling sad or down, low self-esteem and excessive fears and worries as well as social withdrawal and a loss of interest in activities that they previously enjoyed.
The highest level of belief that medication is an effective solution to tackle mental health issues was found in Ireland at 29% compared to the EU average of 19%.
However, counselling or therapy is still regarded as the most effective solution by Irish respondents.
The European Commission's Directorate General for health and food safety said one in six people in the EU suffered from mental health issues before the Covid-19 pandemic, but that the situation had worsened with unprecedented crises in recent years including the war in Ukraine.
Before the pandemic, it was estimated that mental health problems affected around 84 million people across the EU at a cost of €600 billion per annum.
"Mental health is an integral and essential component of health and is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities," said an EU spokesperson.
He added: "The cost of non-action on mental health is already significant and unfortunately it is forecasted to rise even more in line with global stressors."
Nine out of ten EU citizens including Ireland rated the promotion of mental health as being as important as the promotion of physical health.
At the same time, however, only 33% agreed that people with mental health issues received the same level of care as those with a physical condition.
More than eight out of ten Irish citizens said mental health patients are judged differently than patients with other health conditions.
Three quarters of Irish respondents said such patients get less opportunities in relation to work, housing and social activities and are perceived as being less capable of contributing to society.
Almost half agreed that mental health issues are perceived as not curable.
Irish people cited treatment being equally accessible for everyone and timely availability of services when needed as the main priorities for good quality mental healthcare.
The most important factors in contributing to good mental health were rated as living conditions, financial security, physical activity and social contact.
Irish people cited sleeping habits as the most important activity in contributing to good mental health ahead of social contact and a work-life balance.
Asked how they felt in the previous month, 34% of Irish respondents said they felt tired or worn out – the joint highest rate with Finland – compared to the EU average of 27%.
A further 11% of Irish respondents said they felt downhearted or low.
At the same time 23% of Irish people said they either felt happy or full of energy which was 5% above the EU average.
A large majority of EU citizens think the use of social media has a negative impact on the mental health of children and young people including 90% of Irish respondents.
