The report has been published by researchers from the University of the Basque Country. They have analyzed the mental health of children under 30 years of age in Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia and Araba, reporting on the psychiatric situation and hospital admissions.

A total of 96,000 youths have documented in their medical records any mental illness, specifically 15.8%. In this sense, the postpandemic context has shown an increase in cases, such as the Hospital de Donostia, where hospital admissions have increased by 40%.

As for the type of disease, what young people suffer most is anxiety and the second depression. Among children, however, eating disorders, lack of attention and hyperactivity are the most frequent.

According to the study, half of mental illnesses develop during adolescence. However, they have clarified that mental illness can develop at any age and that causes, development and manifestations are variable.

Suicide

Mental health is directly related to high suicide rates. Today, it is the first unnatural cause of death between 15 and 29 years. Since 2021, cases of suicide have increased regardless of age. Furthermore, suicide attempt data among young people are particularly worrying.

Impossible in all cases

If the research has revealed something, it is necessary to give “importance to prevention”, explains the professor of psychiatry at UPV/EHU Ana González, who has participated in the research. Begoña Antunez, psychiatrist of Osakidetza interviewed by El Diario Vasco, believes that special services “do not reach” everyone. However, it ensures that better service is being offered. As an example, a quarter of primary care services are related to mental health