WHO Warns: Mental Health of Children and Adolescents Worsens Across Europe

WISE NEWS PRESS / COPENHAGEN, DENMARK — NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Mental health issues among children and adolescents in Europe have escalated into a growing crisis, with global health experts warning that access to professional support is insufficient, according to a new analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO's analysis for its European Region reveals that one in every seven Europeans under the age of 20 experiences a mental health issue, an increase of one-third over the last 15 years. The crisis disproportionately affects girls, with one in four girls aged 15-19 reporting a mental health problem.

Lack of Access to Professional Support

The WHO report highlighted that access to professional mental health support remains a major challenge across the bloc. Approximately one-quarter of European countries lack community-based mental health services specifically targeting young people, and one in five countries has no dedicated mental health policy for youth.

"This report is a wake-up call," said Dr. Joao Breda, who works on patient safety and quality of healthcare at the WHO. "Every child and adolescent has the right to benefit from mental health support and high-quality care."

The report is the first comprehensive study compiling data on child and adolescent mental health across the 53 countries that comprise the WHO’s European Region (Europe and Central Asia).

Escalating Triggers and the AI Risk

Concerns regarding youth mental health have risen sharply in recent years, fueled by compounding factors such as social isolation, the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing geopolitical conflicts, and socio-economic instability.

The analysis underscores the urgent necessity for adequate face-to-face care, especially given the tragic consequences seen when young people increasingly turn to Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots—such as ChatGPT—for emotional support instead of human professionals.

The report also noted significant regional disparities: young people in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Denmark ranked highest in mental well-being, while those in Ukraine, Cyprus, and Poland were among the lowest.

WHO's Call for Action

The WHO urged countries to take immediate steps to bolster youth mental health, including investing more in services and redesigning programs to meet the needs of children and adolescents more effectively.

"By acting now, countries can build resilient systems that will help future generations thrive," Dr. Breda concluded.

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