Most young people are told to enjoy their youth, as it will be the best years of their lives. But for many young people in Europe dealing with the day-to-day pressures of exams, relationships and job-hunting is becoming increasingly difficult.
Despite being the most educated generation ever, today's young people find it increasingly hard to make the transition from education to employment. In April 2011, Eurostat reported that the youth unemployment rate was 19.6% in the EU, more than double that of the adult population.
Such high levels of unemployment have social and health consequences. The WHO have acknowledged that in recent years there has been an increase in mental-health problems among young people in Europe, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-harm.
There is a lack of specific data on youth and mental health, but WHO-Europe estimates that 10-20% of young people suffer from mental health issues (the percentage is much higher among disadvantaged young people and migrants). Increased social pressures, such as financial and employment worries, can trigger mental health problems or exacerbate existing issues. As a result, as the youth employment crisis lingers the mental health situation of young people in Europe is likely to further decline.
The EU has given special focus to the issue of mental health, with the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being in 2008, and the September 2009 conference "Promotion of mental health and well-being of children and young people - making it happen" which was co-organised by European Commission and Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and supported by the European Youth Forum. More recently, the Council of the EU recognised the pressing issue of mental health in Europe, calling for continued research and work.
The EU's continued engagement with mental health issues is welcome, but renewed vigour, cooperation and determination is needed from policy makers, health professionals and civil society organisations to combat the trend of deteriorating youth mental health.
