Anxiety, psychological pressure and insufficient information about accessing mental health services plague young Cypriots, according to a Health Ministry and UNICEF report released today on Mental Health Day revealing the problems young people face regarding their mental health and difficulties in securing help.
The report shows deteriorating mental health and the inability of many young people to seek timely support.
The study, coordinated and implemented by research centre CARDET with support from the Cyprus Youth Organisation and Cyprus Youth Council, gathers testimonies and data from young people, parents, educators and mental health professionals, clearly illustrating the need for friendlier, more accessible and stigma-free mental health services.
According to the report, 86% of young people state they experience high levels of anxiety and uncertainty about the future, whilst three in four (75%) feel constant pressure and stress.
Despite recognising the problem, only 43% of those who felt the need to seek help from a mental health professional actually did so. The remainder state they are discouraged by stigma, lack of information and limited access to services.
The fact that 75% of mental health disorders appear before age 25 is particularly significant, underlining the need for timely intervention and support.
Simultaneously, referrals to school psychologists have increased significantly in recent years, exceeding 7,700 during 2020-2021, demonstrating the phenomenon affects more and more families.
The research identifies four main factors preventing young people from seeking help:
- Stigma and prejudice surrounding mental health issues
- Lack of youth-friendly support spaces
- Insufficient information about available services
- Inequality in access, especially for those living in rural or remote areas
As one young person who participated in the study characteristically stated: “We don’t always know where to turn for help. And even when services exist, we don’t feel they’re for us”.
Researchers call on responsible services to strengthen prevention and early intervention, emphasising the importance of young people’s active participation in shaping services that concern them.
The recommendations are expected to contribute decisively to the new National Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan which the Health Ministry is developing.
“These findings constitute a wake-up call,” said Alexandros Tifas, mental health nursing officer at the Health Ministry.
“Behind the numbers are young people who deserve understanding, compassion and support at the moment they need it. By transforming their voices into action, we can create services that truly respond to their needs and build a society where mental health is a shared priority”.
The report’s publication is accompanied by the Cyprus-wide #OnMyMind – #MoreToSay campaign, which aims to strengthen dialogue around mental health and mobilise young people to take action.
The project “Strengthening Youth Mental Health Resilience in Cyprus” is funded by the European Commission through the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) and implemented by UNICEF in cooperation with the Cyprus Health Ministry.
CARDET coordinates the research component with support from the Cyprus Youth Organisation and Cyprus Youth Council.
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