Mental health especially among youth has become the latest alarming concern raised by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In a recent report, WHO states that 17% of the population in Europe, including Albania, suffers from mental health issues.
Psychiatrists and psychologists in Albania have long warned of a “silent epidemic” disproportionately affecting adolescents and young people, though it does not spare other age groups either.
Mental health problems are closely tied to anxiety symptoms, mood disorders, and often evolve into depression. According to the statistics, 1 in 6 people in the region lives with a mental health disorder. Even more concerning, 1 in 3 individuals with such disorders remains untreated.
Experts also link the 25% rise in anxiety and depression symptoms to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, over 1 in 10 adolescents—or nearly 11%—show signs of mental health problems, often triggered by behavioral patterns on social media. As a result, several countries have initiated age restrictions or bans on platform access.
Another troubling figure: 1 in 4 girls aged 15 report feeling lonely most of the time. Similarly, 1 in 4 people over 60 say they experience loneliness.
Given these alarming statistics, public health experts are calling on governments and healthcare systems to prioritize mental health, urging collaboration across institutions to reduce the numbers and address this crisis proactively.
