Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

HEALTH

Half a million students in Germany suffer from a mental health illness: study

Over one in six students across the country now have a mental health illness, according to a new study.

Published: 2 March 2018 12:20 CET

The study, published by Barmer health insurance provider last week, found that depression, anxiety disorders and panic attacks among young people are on the increase.

About 17 percent of students who were previously regarded as healthy are now affected by a mental illness, according to the study. This corresponds to almost half a million (around 470,000) people.

Between 2005 and 2016, the proportion of 18- to 25-year-olds diagnosed with mental illnesses in Germany rose by 38 percent. These figures are published in Barmer’s report of the study.

SEE ALSO: 'Being honest helps': How expats have overcome loneliness in Germany

“Many signs show that there will be significantly more mentally ill young people in the future,” said Dr. Christoph Straub, CEO of Barmer.

“Especially among prospective students, pressure having to do with time and one’s performance is constantly increasing and financial worries and fears about the future are added to this,” the CEO said.

Another finding of the study is that the risk of depression among students increases significantly with age; young students were found to be less at risk than older students.

In order to avoid possible mental health cases later on, the health insurance provider recommends that young adults – particularly those who have already experienced depression or anxiety – take advantage of online or in-person resources at an early stage.

While more than a quarter (28 percent) of young people seek the help of a therapist in the event of a case of mild depression, many who should do not. “Out of shame, those affected often avoid going to the doctor,” said Straub.

“We therefore see great potential in online services, especially if they are anonymous and cater to the smartphone generation,” he added.

SEE ALSO: How foreigners in Berlin are turning to a black market in mental health for treatment

Barmer not only carries out research into how to reach out to young people with a mental health issues earlier on, it also supports a nationwide research project – funded by the World Health Organization (WHO) – on the mental health of students called StudiCare.

Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide and more than 300 million people are now living with the illness, according to WHO.

“Lack of support for people with mental disorders, coupled with a fear of stigma, prevent many from accessing the treatment they need to live healthy, productive lives,” WHO writes on its website.

Barmer health insurance compiled anonymous data from around eight million insured people for the completion of the study. Each year Barmer’s annual study has a different focus.  

HEALTH

Are Danes cutting back on cigarettes and alcohol?

Danish stores sold a significantly lower quantity of alcohol and cigarettes over the counter last year, new data from Statistics Denmark show.

Published: 14 June 2024 07:42 CEST
Are Danes cutting back on cigarettes and alcohol?

Some 3,852 cigarettes were sold year, which amounts to 804 per person over the age of 18. But that compares to a figures of 854 per person on 2022.

Cigarette sales in Denmark have been declining since 2018.

Sales of sprits, beer and wine fell by 7.8 percent, 5.3 percent and 0.9 percent respectively.

Danish business sold the equivalent of 44.4 million litres of pure alcohol, which works out at 11.9 units per week on average for each person over the age of 18.

Although that is a lower value than in 2022, it still exceeds the amount recommended by the Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen).

The Health Authority recommends that adults over 18 drink no more than 10 units per week and no more than four in a single day.

READ ALSO: Should Denmark raise the minimum age for buying alcohol?

“The numbers are still too high and it’s an average that could have a skewed distribution,” University of Southern Denmark professor, Janne Tholstrup, said in relation to the alcohol sales figures. Tholstrup has published research on Denmark’s alcohol culture.

That is in spite of a 30-year-trend of falling alcohol consumption, according to the professor.

“The majority of Danes stay under the recommended 10 unite per week. That means there is a large group with a persistently excessive consumption of alcohol,” she said.

The Statistics Denmark figures also show that sales of loose tobacco – such as the type used in roll-up cigarettes and pipes – also fell last year. Some 58 tonnes less were sold compared to 2022.

SHOW COMMENTS