Mental health concerns rise among women and youth in Central Europe

Mental health experts are highlighting rising psychological challenges among women and youth in Central Europe. In the Czech Republic, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that up to 20% of women experience mental difficulties during pregnancy or after childbirth, yet approximately 75% of those affected do not seek professional help.

To address this, the Perinatal program is expanding psychosocial stress screening in dozens of maternity hospitals. Recent data shows that 13.4% of screenings indicated an increased risk of depressive symptoms. Facilities like the Slaný Maternity Hospital are implementing digital tools such as MoodPass to improve early detection and follow-up psychiatric care.

In Slovakia, data from the organization IPčko reveals a significant surge in mental health crises. In 2025, the organization recorded over 181,000 crisis contacts, a 26.6% increase from the previous year. Notably, contacts related to anxiety, panic, and phobias rose by 42.6%. Experts also warn of increasing psychological distress among children and teenagers, with a growing number of young people seeking help for suicidal ideation and performance-related stress.