Report Reveals Concerning Findings Regarding Youth Mental Health in Cyprus

The Ministry of Health is committed to treating youth mental well-being in Cyprus as a national priority.

A new national report from the Ministry of Health and UNICEF reveals that stress and anxiety are widespread among young people in Cyprus, yet a significant number are not seeking the help they need. The study, coordinated and run by CARDET with the support of the Youth Board of Cyprus and the Cyprus Youth Council, amplifies the voices of youth alongside those of parents, educators, and mental health professionals, pointing to an urgent need for more youth-friendly, accessible, and stigma-free services.

The Reality of Youth Mental Health

Key findings from the report reveal:

• High Anxiety: 86% of youth report high levels of anxiety and uncertainty about the future, while 75% feel constant pressure and stress.
• The Help-Seeking Gap: Although 60% of young people felt they needed to visit a mental health professional, fewer than half (43%) actually did so. The reasons cited include stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access.
• Early Onset: The majority of mental health disorders (75%) appear before the age of 25, underscoring the urgency of early support.
• Rising School Referrals: Referrals to psychologists in schools increased significantly, with more than 7,700 students referred in 2020–2021.

Major Barriers to Support

The study identified four key barriers to accessing mental health care:

• Stigma and prejudice.
• Lack of youth-friendly, welcoming spaces.
• Low awareness of services.
• Unequal access, especially in rural areas.

One participant summarized the issue: “We don’t always know where to go for help. And even when services exist, they don’t always feel like they are for us”.

A Call for Action

The report calls for a shift towards prevention and early intervention, with a strong emphasis on engaging young people in shaping the services they use. These recommendations will inform the National Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan being developed by the Ministry of Health.

“These findings are a wake-up call”, said Alexandros Tifas, a Mental Health Nursing Officer of the Ministry of Health. “Behind the numbers are young people who deserve compassion, understanding, and access to support when they need it. By turning their voices into action, we can create services that truly respond to their needs and build a society where mental health is a shared priority”.

Stay Engaged

This report complements the ongoing awareness campaign, #OnMyMind #MoreToSay, which encourages open conversations and practical action for the well-being of young people across Cyprus.

Read the full report here!

For further information and support regarding Mental Health, click here!  

About the Project

The project Supporting Mental Health Resilience among Youth in Cyprus is funded by the European Commission via the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) and implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Cyprus. CARDET coordinates the research component with the support of the Youth Board of Cyprus (ONEK) and the Cyprus Youth Council (CYC). Project Reference: ECARO/PCA202294/SPD2024252