Discussions around well-being are ongoing and the media increasingly throw us headlines about mental health. However, in reality, how we, as a society, perceive them can only show what condition we are in and whether we want to use help at all.
The topic of mental health in public debate is relatively new. Bah! Looking at the centuries of development of science and medicine, even in the world of research, this is still a fairly fresh area of interest. The treatment of the psyche in terms of health, much less one that can be taken care of in a doctor's office, has been outside the mainstream of practice for many years, and at times aroused skepticism. The psyche, once closely linked to the soul and supernatural forces, has rarely been considered for centuries in the context of diseases that can affect it. It is still the case that thinking about mental health as something that should be “done alone”, without the support of a specialist, is present in some social groups. Sometimes the use of the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist can be seen as a manifestation of weakness or excessive concern for oneself.
Quantitative study report prepared by the Institute of Psychology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in 2024 Mental well-being in Poland. What do we think about psychological help? provides many interesting conclusions. It shows, among other things, whether mental health in Poland is still a taboo subject, how the use of the help of specialists is perceived and what is the level of our psychological knowledge.
Let's start at the end: what do we really know about psychology?
According to a study by the Institute of Polish Psychology, although most of us consider psychology to be an interesting field of science, it does not necessarily go hand in hand with real knowledge about it. A good example from the report is that although 70% of people experiencing mental difficulties have benefited from professional therapy, as many as 22% did not know in what way this therapy is carried out - whether it was cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, or another.
Another, rather depressing piece of data concerns the very perception of specialists. As many as one in ten participants in the study declared the belief that psychologists or psychotherapists have Harmful social impact. This is a clear signal that conspiracy narratives about psychology and psychiatry continue to penetrate the public discourse and find an audience.
Further; knowledge of qualifications. One in three respondents believed that completing a master's degree in psychology entitles them to write prescriptions for psychotropic drugs. Quite a few people also believed that a psychologist's degree gives the ability to “read minds.” These beliefs may sound like a curiosity, but they really show how deeply ingrained stereotypes are and how little we know about what mental health professionals actually do and where the boundaries of their competence run.
Our general Polish welfare
The level of life satisfaction in Poland is not the worst - this is confirmed by the 2022 CBOS study cited in the report, in which 75% of respondents reported a high level of life satisfaction. At the same time, it was noted that this trend is gradually declining. The reasons can be found, among others, in the experience of inflation, the proximity of war or the energy crisis. Mental crises affect younger people more often - which can have to do with both the intensity of diagnoses and the lifestyle or social pressure felt by younger generations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes mental well-being as a key component of public health. Defines mental health as “the state in which an individual realizes his or her potential, copes with everyday stress, works effectively, and contributes to the life of the community” (WHO, 2021).
According to the accepted definitions, psychological well-being consists of three indicators: psychological, emotional and societal. In Poland it looks like this (average results):
- General welfare - 3,59
- Psychological well-being - 3,89
- Emotional well-being - 3,79
- Social welfare - 3,12
The latter - social welfare - clearly stands out the strongest. And it is here that the space arises to reflect on relationships, the sense of belonging, communality and the extent to which we feel that we are part of “something greater than ourselves”.
What most determined the level psychological well-being In the study group, age and level of income. The highest well-being was declared by people aged 65+, while the lowest was declared by young people, especially in the range of 18—24 years. This confirms a trend also observed in other studies: the younger generation faces more pressure, uncertainty and overload, which directly affects their mental health. When it comes to finances, the dependence is just as pronounced. People with lower incomes were more likely to rate their psychological well-being as low, while those with higher earnings indicated a greater sense of stability and contentment. The amount of income can therefore act as a buffer in this context - material security translates into a greater sense of control, and this in turn supports well-being.
In category emotional well-being no clear determinants were identified to indicate whether factors such as age, gender, place of residence, education or income level have a real impact on it. It is possible that this is due to the close connection between emotional well-being and psychological well-being. Both refer to experiencing and regulating emotions, a sense of inner balance, and the ability to cope with difficulties. In practice, these two dimensions often intersect to such an extent that it is difficult to clearly separate them and assign separate factors of influence to them.
When it comes to social welfare, one of the more interesting areas of research, also did not indicate unambiguous factors that would clearly affect its level. However, when we look at the numbers, one can see a certain trend: the highest rate of social well-being appears in the group of seniors, especially in people aged 75+.
The percentage differences between generations are not huge (in the youngest, social well-being is on average 2,83and in the oldest 3,69), however, the direction itself is significant. Despite the common assumption that old age is associated with loneliness, it is older people who are more likely to declare a greater sense of social belonging and rooting. Perhaps this is a signal that young generation I need the most support here. Their social well-being, that is, the feeling of being part of a community, a relationship, a support network, seems to be the weakest and it is this that today requires special care.
Another argument in favor of taking a closer look at the youngest group of subjects is the indicator feeling of loneliness. It was in the 18—24 age group that it was highest (2.99), while the lowest score was recorded among people aged 45—54 years (2.71). Moreover, loneliness also deepens with lower income levels - especially among people earning between 1 and 3 thousand zlotys. If we take into account the broader context of the situation of the younger generation - the precarious position on the labor market, high levels of youth unemployment, rising housing prices or the real crisis of homelessness in cities - this becomes even more moving. This is not just a statistic, but a picture of a generation entering adulthood with a sense of danger, insecurity and lack of stable ground.
summary
The data show that it is the youngest generation that experiences the greatest sense of loneliness, further reinforced by financial insecurity and difficult entry into the labor market. This is not just an individual problem, but a social one - associated with a lack of real footing and predictability. If we want to improve mental well-being, we must start by creating conditions in which young people do not enter adulthood “on their own”.
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