Mental health crisis in Poland

Mental health concerns are rising in Poland, with specific emphasis on occupational burnout, trauma, and growing challenges among youth. Experts have warned that teachers are particularly vulnerable to depression and burnout due to high emotional demands, financial pressures, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. To combat this, initiatives such as the ‘Twarze Depresji dla Szkół’ training program have been introduced to help educators recognize mental disorders. Workplace stress remains a critical issue. A report by ARC Rynek i Opinia found that 56% of workers report returning home in a poor emotional state. Primary stressors include excessive responsibilities (31%), time pressure (28%), and poor organizational structure (22%). Trauma levels are also significant, with nearly one in five people in Poland exhibiting symptoms of PTSD. Youth mental health is a major focus, as the ‘Diagnoza Młodzieży 2026’ report indicates over half a million children and adolescents meet the criteria for mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. In response, the Lower Silesian Social Policy Center released ‘W dobrym stanie’ (In Good Condition), a guide distributed to schools and clinics to help various age groups recognize psychological crises and access emergency helplines, such as the 24-hour support lines 116 123 for adults and 116 111 for youth. On World Suicide Prevention Day, attention turned to the psychological pressure faced by farmers due to financial instability and unpredictable weather. In the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region, proposals include deploying mobile psychologists to farms. Additionally, media professionals are being encouraged to follow WHO guidelines to avoid sensationalism when reporting on suicide. Recent data highlights the severity of the crisis, noting approximately 5,000 suicides were recorded in Poland in 2025. A significant gender disparity exists, with men being five times more likely to die by suicide than women.