Greece has one of the highest burdens of mental health issues in the EU with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and alcohol and drug-use disorders marking the most common mental conditions

This opinion piece is part of To BHMA International Edition’s NextGen Corner, a platform for fresh voices on the defining issues of our time

1.6 million Greeks received prescriptions for psychiatric drugs in 2024, according to data from the Greek Ministry of Health

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A reported one in four adolescents aged 15-19 years in Greece lives with a mental health condition.

“The human brain under continuous stress functions like a car with its hazard lights permanently on—eventually, the battery drains. Similarly, human resilience collapses, exhibiting psychosomatic illnesses,” Psychiatry Professor Antonios Dakanalis told TO BHMA International Edition.

According to the data of the new European Social Survey, our country is the worst in Europe in regards to mental health issues and there is a direct correlation between these issues and social inequalities.

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The controversial bill has been put forth by the Greek public health ministry for a debate and a vote by Greek Parliament this week. Meanwhile, Greece's key public health union took to the streets on Monday to protest the reforms.

Hardalias, stressing the importance of mental health and addressing dependencies, affirmed, "We are committed to providing vital support and resources to meet these needs, aiming for a healthier and more empowered social environment for all citizens of the region."

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