A major new study has revealed that nearly 40% of European teenagers are experiencing poor mental well-being, with adolescent girls reporting significantly worse outcomes than boys across all 37 countries surveyed.

The findings come from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), which, for the first time in its 30-year history, included questions on mental health. The survey collected responses from nearly 114,000 students aged 15 and 16 across Europe.

According to the report, 59% of teens were classified as having “good mental well-being”—scoring above 50 on a standardized index measuring factors such as feeling cheerful, waking refreshed, and interest in daily life. However, the data revealed stark regional and gender disparities.

Teens in Nordic countries reported the highest levels of mental well-being, with the Faroe Islands (77%), Iceland (75%), and Denmark (72%) topping the list. In contrast, adolescents in Ukraine, still reeling from the ongoing war, ranked lowest, with only 43% reporting good mental health. Other countries with notably low scores included the Czech Republic (46%), Hungary (47%), and both Cyprus and Poland (49%).

The study highlighted that boys consistently reported better mental health than girls across all participating nations. On average, 69% of boys had good mental well-being, compared to just 49% of girls. The gap was particularly wide in countries such as Italy and Poland, where twice as many boys as girls reported feeling mentally well.

In Sweden, although overall well-being was relatively high at 62%, a closer look revealed that four in five boys reported positive mental health, while fewer than half of girls did.

Experts warn these findings point to a growing mental health crisis among Europe’s youth, intensified by social pressures, educational disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the emotional toll of global conflicts and economic instability.

“Mental health is deeply connected to the broader social environments in which young people grow up,” said Kadri Soova, director of Mental Health Europe. Though not involved in the study, Soova urged policymakers to develop targeted support systems, especially for vulnerable groups like adolescent girls.

She also emphasized the importance of addressing both longstanding and emerging issues, including substance use and digital risks. “By investing in mental health education and accessible support, we can create conditions for all young people to thrive,” she said.

Mental health concerns among youth are not confined to Europe. A recent Lancet analysis found rising rates of mental health disorders among adolescents worldwide over the past decade.

Brussels: Teenagers across Europe are increasingly turning to e-cigarettes while reducing their use of alcohol and illegal drugs, according to the latest findings from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD).

The 2024 report, released this week, analyzed the habits of nearly 114,000 students aged 15 and 16 in 37 countries, offering a comprehensive view of substance use, digital behavior, and lifestyle choices among European adolescents.

Vaping Surges as Smoking Trends Shift

Although traditional cigarette smoking has declined significantly since the 1990s, the report highlights a sharp rise in e-cigarette use. About 44% of surveyed students reported trying e-cigarettes at least once, with 22% using them regularly—up from 14% in the previous survey five years ago.

Researchers noted that many teenagers perceive vaping products as easy to access, contributing to a broader shift toward alternative nicotine consumption. Alarmingly, daily smoking among preteen girls has shown a recent increase, despite the overall decline in cigarette use.

Alcohol Consumption Falls, but Early Drinking Persists

Alcohol use continues to decline across Europe, both in terms of general consumption and binge drinking. However, early initiation remains a concern, with around one-third of teens reporting their first alcoholic drink at age 13 or younger. Approximately 75% of students have tried alcohol at some point.

Denmark (55%), Germany (49%), and Austria (48%) recorded the highest rates of heavy teenage drinking, underscoring ongoing regional challenges despite broader positive trends.

Cannabis Remains Most Common Illegal Drug

Cannabis remains the most widely used illegal drug among European teens, with 12% of students saying they had tried it—a figure that marks the lowest rate since 1995. While boys remain more likely than girls to use cannabis, the gender gap is narrowing.

Other substances such as cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, and amphetamines were used by around 2% of students. Prescription drug misuse is also on the rise, with 8.5% having taken tranquillisers or sedatives and 6.9% using painkillers for recreational purposes.

Shifts in Digital Habits and Gambling

Gaming is a central part of teenage life, with 80% playing video games monthly. Notably, girls’ participation in gaming has surged, rising from 22% in 2015 to 71% last year. At the same time, concerns around social media use are growing. Nearly half of teens reported problematic social media behavior, with increases in harmful use particularly pronounced among boys.

Gambling remains prevalent, with nearly one in four teens having gambled for money in the past year. Rates vary widely—from 9.5% in Georgia to 45% in Italy—despite tighter regulations aimed at protecting minors.

The ESPAD report, conducted every four years, offers critical insights for policymakers and public health officials as they address emerging challenges in youth behavior across Europe.

The UK has recorded its first detection of West Nile virus in mosquitoes, marking a significant public health development as experts warn of the growing threat of mosquito-borne diseases linked to climate change.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), virus fragments were found in two separate mosquito samples collected from wetlands in Nottinghamshire in July 2023. Although 198 other samples from the area tested negative and no human cases have been reported, the agency has classified the current public risk as “very low.”

Dr. Meera Chand, Deputy Director for Travel Health and Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said the discovery, while notable, was not unexpected. “The virus is already widespread in parts of Europe, and as temperatures continue to rise, the environmental conditions in the UK are becoming increasingly favourable for mosquito activity,” she noted.

West Nile virus, part of the same family as dengue and yellow fever, typically circulates in bird populations and is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Around 80 percent of those infected do not develop symptoms, but in rare cases, the virus can cause severe neurological complications such as encephalitis or meningitis.

The emergence of the virus in the UK is being linked to broader shifts caused by climate change. Dr. Arran Folly, an arbovirologist at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), said, “The detection of West Nile virus in the UK reflects a changing landscape where mosquito-borne diseases are extending their reach due to warmer climates.”

In response, UKHSA is intensifying its surveillance efforts and advising medical professionals to consider West Nile virus testing for patients showing signs of unexplained brain inflammation or other neurological symptoms. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus.

Medical entomologist Professor James Logan from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine urged health and veterinary authorities to enhance monitoring efforts. “This is a moment to recognise that the UK is no longer immune to diseases once considered ‘tropical,’” he said. “We are entering an era where we must learn to live smarter in a bug’s world.”

The findings add to growing concern across Europe, where warmer temperatures have already led to increased reports of mosquito-borne illnesses. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely as climate conditions evolve.