Rising rates of mental disorder are an issue on a global scale | Credits: Shutterstock
The University of Helsinki released a study with statistics revealing that more than two-thirds of the people in Finland are diagnosed with a mental health, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorder during their lifetime.
The university’s study, published by Cambridge University earlier this month and covered by several news outlets on Friday, states, “Most, though not all, individuals experience at least one type of mental disorder, often during youth.
The authors of the study said they “followed 6.4 million individuals for 98.5 million person-years and found that by age 100, lifetime incidence of any diagnosed mental disorder was 76.7 per cent in women and 69.7 per cent in men.”
Anxiety and mood disorders are most common
“Mental health challenges touch most people at some stage—whether directly or through someone close to them. This reality must be reflected in how we think about work, education, public services and day-to-day life,” said Dr. Kimmo Suokas, a postdoctoral researcher involved in the study.
The most commonly diagnosed issues are anxiety and mood disorders, with depression standing out as the most prevalent condition. There are also significant gender and age differences in the timing and type of initial diagnosis.
For males, the first diagnosis typically comes around the age of six, most frequently in the form of behavioural disorders like ADHD. Among females, diagnoses tend to appear later—usually between the ages of 15 and 19—and are more commonly related to anxiety or mood disturbances.
Some questions remain unanswered
“Unlike many earlier studies, this one drew from the entire national population and included data from both primary and specialist care,” noted Associate Professor Christian Hakulinen of the University of Helsinki. “That gave us a far more detailed and accurate picture of the incidence and breakdown of different disorders.”
Whether the actual prevalence of mental health disorders has risen in recent years remains a question the data does not answer. However, the authors point out that the sharp rise in available mental health services, as well as a lowered threshold for seeking care, may help explain the high rates of diagnosis.
Another key factor, according to both Hakulinen and Suokas, is society’s evolving relationship with mental health. Public conversation around mental wellbeing has expanded dramatically, and with it has come a stigma reduction.
While these findings could be potentially shocking for Finland and its citizens, there are other countries with higher rates of mental disorders amongst their population.
Higher rates in Denmark and New Zealand
In Denmark, for example, over 80 per cent of Danes receive a mental health, behavioural, or neurodevelopmental diagnosis over their lifetime, according to the University of Helsinki researchers, the Helsinki Times wrote.
New Zealand reports lifetime prevalence rates exceeding 80% for these disorders, driven by high rates of anxiety, depression, and neurodevelopmental diagnoses, they added.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally, about one in four people will experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives, although it typically focuses on common disorders like depression and anxiety.
However, when including a broader range of disorders (e.g., neurodevelopmental and substance use disorders), lifetime prevalence can approach or exceed 50 per cent in some high-income countries with robust diagnostic systems, a separate study found.
Ultimately, the message is simple and sobering: mental health is not a marginal issue. In Finland, it is a widespread reality. Addressing it requires not only medical infrastructure but cultural understanding, workplace support, and education systems that reflect the psychological landscape of modern life.
