Trend Structural pressure on mental health, especially among young adults

Summary

The report finds that the mental health of many Dutch people is under structural pressure. Young adults aged 18 to 45 in particular fare worse than older generations, which the report calls a striking break in trend, and stress, anxiety and burnout are increasing. The main causes cited are pressure to perform in study and work, comparison fuelled by social media, and uncertainty about the future of housing, climate and jobs. The Council for Public Health and Society (RVS) sees people driven by a compulsion to perform, acceleration and excessive individualism, and sick leave due to burnout as well as disability benefits (WIA) granted for mental conditions have risen. Mental health is unevenly distributed, with lower-income groups, women and city dwellers more vulnerable.