A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry investigated the prevalence of mental disorders among children and adolescents in Europe, using community-based studies conducted between 2015 and 2020. The authors used data from multiple databases—such as MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycInfo—to identify studies reporting the prevalence of anxiety disorders, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct problems, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), oppositional defiant disorder, eating disorders (ED), and substance abuse.
Sacco et al. (2024) found that, overall, 15.5% of European youth presented “any type of mental disorder”, with anxiety being the most frequent condition, showing a prevalence of 7.9%. The authors also identified lower prevalence rates for ADHD (2.9%), oppositional defiant disorder (1.9%), depression (1.7%), and ASD (1.4%).
These data confirm that a substantial proportion of the European youth population lives with a mental disorder and that many of these conditions often go undetected or untreated. The fact that anxiety is the most prevalent disorder suggests a need to prioritize more specific interventions and improve clinical screening capacity. According to the authors, these improvements would enhance diagnostic accuracy and contribute to public planning in mental health and early detection strategies.
The way forward
Experts are clear: primary prevention is essential to reduce the prevalence of mental disorders. This includes awareness campaigns in schools, greater investment in access to mental health services, and support for research aimed at improving early diagnosis and treatment.
