Trend: Mind yourself

A trend indicates a direction of change in values and needs which is driven by forces and manifests itself already in various ways within certain groups in society.

Good mental health is a central part of overall health and well-being. Mental health challenges affect 84 million people across Europe - one in every six citizens. Poor mental health often means having poor physical health, poor relationships and a lower quality of life. It can mean being less able to succeed at school or work, and more likely to be unemployed. It can lead to premature mortality. Depression and anxiety are leading causes of disability. Other mental disorders include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia and autism.

Mental health challenges affect all ages, but the elderly and young are the most vulnerable. Rates vary across regions and between males and females. Even before the pandemic, mental disorders were among the top five causes of disease burden for children and adolescents and they are increasing. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds.

Traumatic events and exposure to risk factors in early life, such as war, family conflict, bullying, or having a lack of choices due to economic factors, can significantly affect mental well-being. Long-term stress, social isolation and worry about the degradation of the environment (eco-anxiety) are increasing. War trauma is back in Europe due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia with long term mental health consequences.

Digital technologies can have important consequences for mental health, offering connections and improved services, the opportunity to multi-task, but at the same time causing ‘technostress’, which is increasing. Despite progress in some countries, people with mental health conditions often experience severe human rights violations, discrimination and stigma. Access to care and services capable of providing early diagnosis, treatment and social support is key. Depression prevention aims at raising awareness, detecting groups at risk, developing coping strategies and building resilience.

This Trend is part of the Megatrend  Shifting health challenges

Manifestations

Developments happening in certain groups in society that indicate examples of change related to the trend.

Eco-anxiety

Environmental decline and climate change are taking a toll on mental health. The term eco-anxiety, reflects the distress of observing the steady unfolding of climate change impacts and the persistent worry about the future for oneself, one’s children and for future generations. While anxiety about the future is not new, increasingly, people (especially young people and parents) are worrying that they and their children will have to live and grow up in an apocalyptic, climate-changed world. Before the onset of the pandemic there were indications of increased risk of mental health issues among young people aged 12–24 years, especially those living with chronic health conditions, those living in rural areas, and/or young people not studying or unemployed. Anxiety is a natural response to a threat, but eco-anxiety often involves symptoms beyond those of anxiety alone. Some are traumatised by the harm already done to natural environments and species. The mental health consequences of events linked to a changing global climate include mild stress and distress, high-risk coping behaviour such as increased alcohol use and, occasionally mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress.

As governments and industry partner up to decarbonise society and help reduce and adapt to climate change, the field of psychology and therapists are recognising the need to support those in severe distress over the climate crisis. While many can and will adapt easily, some are frustrated at those who do not acknowledge the necessary changes and who delay progress. For others the drastic permanent changes in their way of life brings unease and fear, and some are not happy that they are being forced to change their established ways of life (driving, shopping, eating, heating and cooling ones home for e.g.). The pandemic has planted some ideas about the drastic looming changes that are coming to deeply-rooted, but unsustainable ways of life.

Signals of change: AreWeEurope, The Lancet, The Atlantic, Int J Environ Res Public Health

Digital well-being and technostress

The pervasive use of digital technologies in our personal and professional lives can have strong and important consequences. Multitasking and repeated notifications can be tiring and are likely to lower creativity and concentration levels. Technostress also describes the negative psychological link between people and the introduction of new technologies. New technologies are rapidly increasing and people experience technostress when they cannot adapt to them, and can not cope with information technologies in a healthy manner. They can be confusing and overwhelming.The ever-increasing ‘bot-support’ of companies and administrations and lack of human(e) support can be stressful to navigate. The difficulty of effective interpersonal communication causes isolation and higher stress – all collectively labelled as ‘technostress’. 
Technology-mediated remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ‘always on’ culture has brought technostress and work exhaustion for some. 

Signals of change: Digital Wellbeing, EP

Mental health and COVID-19

There are times in life where everyone faces uncertainty and the unknown. Fear, worry and stress are normal responses to perceived and real threats. In relation to COVID-19, it is normal that people are experiencing fear and anxiety in the context of the uncertainty of the pandemic and dangers to the health of loved ones. 
The changes to daily life have been significant. The lockdowns aiming to prevent the spread of the virus prevented normal interactions, travel opportunities and leisure activities. Businesses have been forced to close and are still suffering. Home working, home schooling, unemployment and the lack of physical contact with family, friends and colleagues, is driving further mental health challenges. Sedentary behaviour has negative effects on health and well-being too.

The fear of catching the virus has been very real, especially for older and vulnerable people (i.e. those with underlying health conditions). Many caught the virus and recovered physically, but their long term health and jobs have been affected. Research has revealed that 5.8% of COVID-19 patients have been diagnosed with mental illness complications (‘long COVID’), despite having no previous history. The impact on everyone and on health and social workers in particular, has been severe. And of course, many, many people have sadly died. For those they leave behind, the loss of a loved one is life's most stressful event. Supporting the vaccination programmes, following guidelines, finding support, being kind to your mind and to others will help us to cope. 

Signals of change: WHO, EP

War Trauma

During war, such as the current invasion of Ukraine, people are exposed to many different traumatic events, including death. The traumatic events witnessed by survivors raises their chances of developing mental health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, and to have poorer life outcomes as adults. After trauma, PTSD can be a gateway through which other problems take hold. Up to 80% of the people who get PTSD will also develop other difficulties in the future, such as anxiety disorders, depression, substance use and in worst case scenarios death by suicide.

Reports of rape and other crimes are emerging as huge numbers of displaced Ukrainians continue to flee their homes, as soldiers are conscripted against the backdrop of the brutal murder of civilians. Refugee children suffer both from the effects of coming from a war zone, and of adjusting to a new unfamiliar culture. And the longer wars go on, the worse it is for children. Trauma from the Ukraine War is likely to have long-lasting future impact, especially on children. And children everywhere, are describing increasing levels of anxiety and a sense of helplessness for the future, as it seems to them that civilisation is unravelling.

Signals of change: AAFP, Aljazeera, UN, Medical Xpress

Interesting questions

What might this trend imply, what should we be aware of, what could we study in more depth? Some ideas:

• How can healthcare systems do to help those in severe distress over the climate crisis and with the increasing mental health crisis directly due to increasing temperatures?
• Should the EU funding system cover in future research related to establish a link between climate change and mental health?
• How can we convince providers and pushers of digital technology and automated solutions (such as customer care and administration) to make them user-friendly and human centric-to avoid techno-stress? 
• How do we control and treat screen addiction in the future, when the use of digital technology and phone apps only increases? What if everyone becomes a screen addict? What can be done to support digital well-being and reduce technostress?
• How can we support digital well-being and reduce technostress?
• What if young people lose contact with wild/nature due to screens?
• How long-term will the mental health effects of COVID-19 be? What consequences will it have on individuals, families and future generations, and how can we overcome those challenges?
• What if authorities engage with citizens through surveys to understand development of anxiety and stress for the geopolitical aspects of health? Should we engage with citizens through surveys?
• What if young people lose hope for the future and any sense of purpose due to war?
• Should national/EU health insurance systems cover expenses for psychotherapy?
• What if only rich people can afford mental health therapy and wellness?