Suicides rise again in Europe, top cause of death for 15–29 year-olds

Brussels – The long-term decline in suicide death rates across the EU has stalled, reflecting alarmingly poor mental health conditions in Europe. In 2021, suicide accounted for 18.9 percent of deaths among 15-29 year olds, surpassing road accidents (16.5 percent). The Eurofound study (European Union Agency for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions) also reveals that in 2021, poor mental health cost 11.1 million years of life lost or lived with disability. 

The agency’s new report, Mental Health: Risk Groups, Trends, Services and Policies, shows that there has been a recent increase in deaths by suicide, particularly among women under 20 and men over 85. Overall, the issue is also profoundly related to gender: men are 3.7 times more likely to die by suicide than women, although it is the latter who report mental health problems more often and use primary care to deal with them. 

The report highlights the profound impact of socioeconomic factors on mental health. People with lower incomes or levels of education, single-parent families, and groups experiencing discrimination are at greater risk. People with disabilities are disproportionately affected, partly because, the report argues, “they are less likely to find paid employment”. 

The cost-of-living crisis exacerbated these problems for the population as a whole; in Ireland, for example, 57 percent of adults reported that financial worries were affecting their mental health.

The ‘dual nature of digitalisation’

The report examines various issues that could impact mental health across the continent, including the dual nature of digitalisation. While moderate use of digital tools can foster social relationships,  excessive use presents a clear risk. The problematic use of social media among children aged 11-15, particularly girls, has increased significantly in Europe since 2018.

This is particularly worrying in countries such as Bulgaria, Ireland, Malta, and Romania, which recorded the highest rates. In Germany, it is estimated that in 2019, 1 in 16 children were already addicted to social media or digital games, more than double the rate recorded four years earlier.

The problem of lack of support

Despite the formal right to free or low-cost mental health care in most EU countries, the report identifies significant practical barriers to access. Stigma and discrimination are major deterrents, and a severe capacity gap, particularly in rural areas and for specialised services such as child psychiatry, renders these rights meaningless for many. Moreover, timely assistance for mild or moderate needs, particularly psychotherapy, is often only privately accessible and therefore only available to those who can afford it. 

The research also highlights widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of existing services, with almost half (46 percent) of those who have experienced emotional or psychosocial problems rating the quality of mental health care at less than five out of ten. Lack of trust is one of the primary reasons why many people avoid seeking help, underscoring the urgent need for services that are not only accessible but also effective and tailored to meet individual needs. 

Speaking about the publication of the report, Hans Dubois, Senior Research Manager at Eurofound, emphasised the need for a comprehensive and holistic approach. “When poor mental health festers, it can have the gravest of consequences,” he said. “Early intervention in schools and workplaces and tackling stigma and discrimination is crucial,” warned Dubois. 

“On a fundamental level, improving mental health in Europe means improving living and working conditions, including through social and employment inclusion. When progress in these areas stalls, and people feel they are not progressing in their lives, mental health suffers,” he said.