Portugal faces high mental health prevalence in Europe

Portugal is identified as having one of the highest prevalences of mental illness in Europe. During the conference ‘Saúde Mental – A sociedade ansiosa’, psychiatrist Pedro Morgado stated that when considering anxiety and depressive disorders, Portugal likely holds the highest prevalence in both Europe and the OECD.

Morgado, a professor at the University of Minho and physician at Hospital de Braga, attributed the rise in modern anxiety to the mismatch between human biology and contemporary stressors. While the human brain evolved to handle immediate physical threats, it must now navigate abstract pressures such as social media engagement, constant technological connectivity, financial expectations, and social performance.

Key contributing factors include the monetization of attention, the amplification of fear, and the pressure regarding body image and social acceptance. These elements often lead to chronic exhaustion and a state of being overwhelmed by information and social obligations. Morgado noted that while humans possess the capacity to adapt to these difficulties, societal regulation may be necessary to address the impact of digital and media influences.