Mental health problems

Main environment-related health problems

The data

Mental disorders are the most common cause of illness in Europe, accounting for 20% of the total burden of disease. Depression, which accounts for almost a third of all mental disorders, holds third place in the list of health problems, only surpassed by coronary ischaemia and stroke

In Catalonia, according to ESCA 2012 data, 10.7% of the population aged 15 and over were at risk of suffering a mental disorder at the time of performing the interview (6.9% of men and 14.4% of women). The difference between men and women is maintained in all age groups. The probability of suffering a mental disorder at the time of performing the interview increases progressively with lower social class and lower level of education.

Mental disorders are health problems associated with a significant social and economic impact and also a significant repercussion on the quality of life of the people who suffer them and their families.

Mental health is currently included as a health priority in the political agendas of Europe, Spain and Catalonia.

Risk factors

Social inequalities and economic crisis. Societies with high levels of inequality tend to have a low level of social cohesion (Hsieh and Pugh, 1993), and a high risk of mental health problems. (Source: Mental health policy and practice across Europe. European Observatory 2007).

Low social cohesion. Lack of social cohesion weakens mental health (Kawachji and Berkman, 2003). However, social networks and social support structures improve mental health (House et al., 1988).
Social exclusion may be a cause and result of mental disorders. Unemployed people, many ethnic minorities, disabled people, prison inmates, institutionalized psychiatric patients, homeless people are all groups at risk of social exclusion. And social exclusion increases the risk of disability, disease, addictions and social isolation, and vice-versa, giving rise to self-sustaining cycles.

Poor housing conditions are related with a decrease in mental health and may favour the development of mental health disorders (Thomson and Petticrew, 2005).

Noise and stress are other factors that predispose to suffering mental health problems.

Recommendations

Enact policies that promote social cohesion, contribute to improving mental health and reduce the premature death and disability associated with mental illness (WHO, 2004).

Design cities and neighbourhoods that favour interaction between people, creating meeting spaces and green areas, whose use has been shown to have health benefits.

Strengthen measures aimed at modifying the environment, making it easier to engage in physical activities, as it has been shown that physical activity reduces the risk of suffering depression and improves psychological wellbeing. (Mental health policy and practice across Europe. European Observatory 2007).

Interventions aimed at improving housing conditions have been shown to improve mental health and have a positive impact on factors such as increased security, less crime and fostering community engagement (Raudenbush and Earls, 1997; Thomson et al. 2001).

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