New study on mental health in Latvia

On a commission from the Ministry of Health, a team of researchers from Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) conducted a study on the prevalence of mental health disorders and suicidal behaviour in Latvia between June 2019 and May 2023.

Mental health is an essential component of overall public health. A number of data sources and studies providing information on several mental health disorders have been available, but these studies did not cover all mental disorders nor did the sample always reflect the situation in the Latvian population as a whole.

The study from 2023, “Prevalence of mental disorders and suicidal behaviour in Latvia”, revealed that 6.4% of the Latvian population had clinically significant symptoms of depression, 3.9% of the Latvian population had generalised anxiety disorder and 13.1% of the population had alcohol use disorders. The prevalence of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and suicidal behaviour in the last month was 10.6%.

He added that anxiety and depression increased during the pandemic. People with a history of psychiatric disorders react more sensitively, and those who have attempted suicide react more strongly in crisis situations.

‘Mental health is an important indicator of society,’ said Elmārs Rancāns. ‘The Covid-19 pandemic subsided, but then the war in Ukraine became the next challenge.’

Recording of the LR1 broadcast Kā labāk dzīvot from 05 October 2023 (in Latvian).

Ieva Bite, Assistant Professor and clinical psychologist at the University of Latvia, said on the same show that

one of the factors that contributes to poor mental health is loneliness, which is linked to our use of computers, devices, and reduced social contacts during the pandemic, which continues today. 

Similarly, negative childhood experiences have an impact on mental health today.

According to the researchers, the highest rates of attempted suicide are among men aged between 40 and 55.

‘The reason people take their own lives is not only due to material problems, but rather the state of their soul,’

concludes Prof. Elmārs Rancāns and adds that it is important whether people are ready to talk about their problems.

The study was carried out within the framework of the European Social Fund project "Complex health promotion and disease prevention measures" (No 9.2.4.1./16/I/001) implemented by the Ministry of Health.