More than two-thirds of people in Finland are diagnosed with a mental health, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorder during their lifetime.

A young woman sits on a sofa with her head in her hands while another woman sits writing in a notebook.

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Anxiety and mood disorders are more common among girls and women (file photo).

The majority of people in Finland will be diagnosed with a mental health, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorder at some point during their lifetime.

This is clear from a study by researchers at the University of Helsinki, which examined registry data for all Finns aged 1–100 between 2000 and 2020.

According to the study, approximately 77 percent of women and 70 percent of men are diagnosed by the age of 100. Excluding memory disorders and mental health disorders related to physical illnesses, approximately 66 percent of women and 60 percent of men are diagnosed.

“Mental health challenges affect most people at some point – either personally or through a loved one. This is worth taking into account in working life, schools, public services and everyday life,” said postdoctoral researcher Kimmo Suokas.

Depression most common

The most common issues are anxiety and mood disorders, particularly depression.

Males are most often first diagnosed around the age of six, and women between the ages of 15 and 19. In males, the diagnosis is typically a behavioural disorder such as ADHD. Among girls and women, anxiety and mood disorders are more common.

“Unlike previous studies, this study used data from the entire population, both from primary care and from specialist care, and thus obtained more accurate information about prevalence and the different disorders separately,” said Associate Professor Christian Hakulinen from the University of Helsinki.

The researchers say it remains unclear whether the number of diagnoses has increased in recent years.

The high number of diagnoses could be explained by the significant increase in treatment services in recent decades and a lower threshold for seeking treatment.

According to Hakulinen and Suokas, other explanatory factors could be the increasing discussion of mental health issues and the lowering of stigma associated with mental health disorders.