# Mental health trends in Central Europe > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mental-health-trends-in-central-europe > Updated: 2026-10-18T03:32:00.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Mental health challenges are increasing across various demographics in Central Europe. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, experts have noted rising psychological distress among women, youth, and children. In the Czech Republic, reports indicate that up to 20% of women face mental difficulties during or after pregnancy, though approximately 75% of those affected do not seek professional help. In response, maternity hospitals are expanding psychosocial stress screening and utilizing digital tools for early detection. In Slovakia, crisis contacts have surged, with the organization IPčko recording over 181,000 contacts in 2025, representing a 26.6% increase from the prior year. Specifically, contacts related to anxiety, panic, and phobias rose by 42.6%. In Austria, psychological illnesses now account for nearly 12% of all sick leave days, with long-term sick leave responsible for nearly 40% of all such days. Additionally, financial instability is driving psychological strain in the freelance sector, where 55% of freelancers reported continuing to work despite mental exhaustion due to financial pressures. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-18: Mental health challenges rise in European workforce Mental health issues are rising in the workforce, with psychological illnesses accounting for 12% of sick leave days in Austria and financial pressure forcing many freelancers to work through exhaustion. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mental-health-challenges-rise-in-european-workforce ### 2026-10-10: Mental health concerns rise among women and youth in Central Europe Mental health experts report rising psychological distress in Central Europe, noting significant increases in postpartum depression risks and youth anxiety levels in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mental-health-concerns-rise-among-women-and-youth-in-central-europe --- Cite as: Mental health trends in Central Europe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mental-health-trends-in-central-europe