Eurofound reflects on the impact of the 2008 crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health

Eurofound reflects on the impact of the 2008 crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health

On 10 October 2025, Eurofound published an article about the roots of Europe’s mental health crisis. The report first dives into social and economic drivers impacting European’s mental health, underlining the impact of the 2008 Great recession and of the COVID-19 pandemic on Mental Health. Two key conclusions are drawn: everyone can suddenly be exposed to factors putting them at risk of poor mental health; and the increase in poor mental health was not without reason, it was clearly caused by factors such as financial strain and social isolation. While short-term mental health support is vital, a sustainable solution requires addressing these underlying factors.

The article notes that indicators point towards some growing groups of people with poor mental health, including young women, and people aged 80 and over. Additionally, certain risk factors for mental health are increasing, related to the digitalisation of work and life, growing workforces with greater mental health challenges (e.g. the care sector), and persistent concerns about housing, the cost of living, the natural environment and armed conflicts.

Finally the article underlines how the system is under strain, with prevailing stigma and discrimination against people with poor mental health; capacity limitations undermining the entitlement of the population to free mental healthcare; many do not trust available support or find it inadequate. Therefore, access to high-quality mental health support must be improved.

 Eurofound article “The roots of Europe’s mental health crisis run deep” available here.