Filenews 10 October 2025
Stress, psychological pressure and lack of information about access to mental health services. A report by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF reveals the problems faced by the young people of Cyprus, regarding their mental health and the difficulties they face in their effort to secure help.
The report is published today, Mental Health Day, and it finds a deterioration in mental health and the inability of many young people to seek support in time.
The study, coordinated and implemented by the CARDET research centre, with the support of the Cyprus Youth Board (ONEK) and the Cyprus Youth Council (CWC), gathers testimonies and data from young people, parents, teachers and mental health professionals, clearly reflecting the need for friendlier, accessible and stigma-free mental health services.
According to the report, 86% of young people say they experience high levels of anxiety and uncertainty about the future, while three in four (75%) feel constant pressure and stress. Despite acknowledging the problem, only 43% of those who felt the need to seek help from a mental health professional actually did so. The rest say they are discouraged by stigma, lack of information and limited access to services.
Of particular importance is the fact that 75% of mental health disorders occur before the age of 25, highlighting the need for early intervention and support. At the same time, referrals to school psychologists have increased significantly in recent years, exceeding 7,700 in the period 2020-2021, which shows that the phenomenon is affecting more and more families.
The survey identifies four main factors that prevent young people from seeking help:
- The stigma and prejudice around mental health issues.
- The 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 of the young people who participated in the study characteristically stated:
"We don't always know where to turn for help. And even when there are services, we don't feel like it's for us."
The researchers call on the competent Services to strengthen prevention and early intervention, emphasizing the importance of the active participation of young people in the formation of the services that concern them.
The recommendations recorded are expected to contribute decisively to the new National Strategy and the Action Plan for Mental Health, which are being developed by the Ministry of Health.
"These findings are a wake-up call," said Alexandros Tifas, Mental Health Nursing Officer of the Ministry of Health.
"Behind the numbers are young people who deserve understanding, compassion and support when they need it. By turning their voices into action, we can create services that truly meet their needs and build a society where mental health is a shared priority."
The publication of the report is accompanied by the nationwide #OnMyMind-#MoreToSay campaign, which aims to strengthen the dialogue around mental health and mobilize young people for action.
The project "Strengthening the Resilience of Youth Mental Health in Cyprus" is funded by the European Commission through the Technical Support Mechanism (TSI) and implemented by UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Cyprus. CARDET coordinates the research strand, with the support of the Cyprus Youth Board and the Cyprus Youth Council.
