Mental and Social Health

Mental health disorders constitute a public health issue because of their frequency, the distress and disability they cause, and the impact on the physical and social health of individuals and those around them.

The Health Interview Surveys reveal that anxiety and depression represent the most common mental health disorders. In 2018, around one in ten people had an anxiety (comparable to 2013) or a depressive disorder (slight decrease compared to 2013). Following the COVID-19 crisis, mental health deteriorated. In June 2024, around one in six people presented an anxiety disorder and/or a depressive disorder.

Suicide is an important problem for public health in Belgium. Suicidal thoughts and attempts are increasing during the COVID-19 crisis. Suicide is one of the main causes of death among young people in Belgium. It is higher in men than in women. The mortality rate due to suicide is particularly high in Belgium compared to other EU-14 countries.

While the consumption of sedatives (sleeping pills or tranquilizers) is decreasing since 2008, the consumption of antidepressants continues to increase.

Social health is also a crucial dimension of overall well-being. In 2018, among the population aged 15 and over, 8.4% reported being dissatisfied with their social contacts, and 16% perceived the support they received from their environment as weak. In 2022, loneliness affected nearly six out of ten people aged 18 and over.
Social isolation and perceived lack of support can worsen mental health outcomes and contribute to a vicious cycle of distress and poor health. Strengthening social ties and support networks is therefore an essential component of public health strategies aimed at improving both mental and social health.

For adolescents, the latest UNICEF estimates for 2022 indicate that over 16.3% of young people aged 10 to 19 in Belgium are diagnosed with a mental disorder. These estimates are probably the tip of the iceberg, as many children go undiagnosed, and the COVID-19 pandemic has raised immense concerns about the well-being of young people. According to the 2022 HBSC surveys, adolescents’ mental health in Belgium tends to decline with age. Girls are particularly affected: they are more likely to rate their health as poor, report more psychosomatic symptoms, and feel lonelier than boys.