Using social media increases feelings of loneliness, especially among young people.
- a) true
- b) partly true
- c) not true
Correct answer: partly true
Since the pandemic, many young people have said they often feel lonely. It is not clear whether social media contributes to these feelings. What matters most is how it is used: active chatting or posting can help people feel more connected. Passive scrolling, on the other hand, can make people feel lonely and dissatisfied, leaving them with a sense of emptiness.
Sources:
European Commission Joint Research Centre. (2024, December 13). How you scroll matters: Passive social media use linked to loneliness. https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/how-you-scroll-matters-passive-social-media-use-linked-loneliness-2024-12-13_en
Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2015). Increases in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among U.S. adolescents after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time. Clinical Psychological Science, 6(1), 3–17. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25706656/
Odgers, C. L., Burnell, K., Amendola, S., et al. (2021). Deploying digital screens and mental health outcomes: A longitudinal investigation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33705462/
Deutsches Ärzteblatt. (2010). Depression: Epidemiologie, Diagnostik, Therapie (PDF). https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/pdf/e1b848fa-7445-48c9-bea1-1e9db93e8a3d
What percentage of young people aged 10 to 19 suffer from a mental health condition?
- a) 14%
- b) 21%
- c) 34%
Correct answer: 14%
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 14% of 10- to 19-year-olds worldwide suffer from a mental health condition. Symptoms such as social withdrawal, mood swings or sleep problems can be signs of a mental health disorder. However, they can also be part of normal development, for example during puberty. The key difference is how long the symptoms last and how severe they are.
Sources:
World Health Organization. (2024). Adolescent mental health (Fact sheet). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
Who is more commonly diagnosed with depression?
- a) women
- b) men
- c) women and men equally
Correct answer: women
Depression is diagnosed more often in women. However, this does not mean that more women have depression than men. Men are less likely to go to the doctor, so they are less visible in the statistics. They also often show symptoms that are not always recognised as depression, such as aggression or drinking more alcohol. Trans people are about three times more likely to experience mental health issues. This is partly because they face discrimination and are less accepted by society.
Sources:
HELIOS Gesundheit. Depression – Symptome bei Mann und Frau. https://www.helios-gesundheit.de/magazin/news/02/depression-symptome-mann-frau/
The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. (2024). Editorial: Mental health research in Europe. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(24)00272-2/fulltext
Eccles H, Abramovich A, Patte KA, et al. (2024) Mental Disorders and Suicidality in Transgender and Gender-Diverse People. JAMA Netw Open, 7(10):e2436883. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.36883
Bundesamt für Statistik (BFS). Psychische Gesundheit – Gesundheitszustand. https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/gesundheit/gesundheitszustand/psychische.html
In Germany, around 10,000 people die by suicide every year. This is more than the number of deaths caused by road accidents, violent crime and illegal drugs combined. In 2023, the suicide rate was highest among people aged 80 and over. Which age group had the second-highest rate?
- a) 25–29 years
- b) 43–47 years
- c) 75–79 years
Correct answer: 75–79 years
The suicide rate is highest among people aged 80 and over, followed by those aged 75 to 79. These age groups often experience loneliness, physical illness, symptoms of depression or loss of independence. This increases the risk of suicide. In addition, men are about 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide than women.
If you are struggling emotionally or thinking about ending your life, try to talk to someone about it. This can be a friend or a family member, but there are also organisations that offer support. In Germany, the helpline TelefonSeelsorge offers anonymous, free support 24 hours a day at 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222. It also offers counselling by email and an online chat. You can find more information on the TelefonSeelsorge website.
Sources:
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis). Suizide – Todesursachenstatistik. https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Gesellschaft-Umwelt/Gesundheit/Todesursachen/Tabellen/suizide.html#119324
Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Suizidprävention. Daten und Fakten zur Suizidprävention. https://www.suizidpraevention.de/daten-und-fakten
Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Suizidprävention. Suizidstatistiken. https://www.suizidpraevention.de/daten-und-fakten/suizidstatistiken-1
How high is the risk of people with mental health conditions committing violent acts – is it higher, the same or lower than for people without mental health conditions?
- a) higher
- b) lower
- c) the same
Correct answer: the same
People with mental health conditions are not automatically more prone to violence. In fact, they are more often victims of violence themselves. This can include physical, psychological, or sexual violence. It can happen in a private setting, in public or in institutions such as a hospital. However, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia can cause people to lose touch with reality. If these disorders are not treated, the risk of violent behaviour can increase.
Sources:
Maier, W., Hauth, I., Berger, M., & Saß, H. (2016). Interpersonal violence in the context of affective and psychotic disorders. Der Nervenarzt, 87(1), 53–68. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00115-015-0040-6
DGPPN (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Nervenheilkunde). Dossier zu psychischen Erkrankungen (PDF).https://www.dgppn.de/_Resources/Persistent/f80fb3f112b4eda48f6c5f3c68d23632a03ba599/DGPPN_Dossier%20web.pdf
Which of the following mental health conditions is most common in adults?
a) anxiety disorders (such as panic disorders or phobias)
b) depressive disorders
c) disorders caused by alcohol or medication use
Correct answer: anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions. They make up about 15% of all diagnoses. Depression ranks second at around 8%, followed by disorders caused by alcohol or medication use at around 6%. Every year, around a quarter of the adult population in Germany experiences a mental health condition. That is about 18 million people: roughly the same number of people who live in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Sources:
DGPPN (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Nervenheilkunde). Dossier zu psychischen Erkrankungen (PDF). https://www.dgppn.de/_Resources/Persistent/f80fb3f112b4eda48f6c5f3c68d23632a03ba599/DGPPN_Dossier%20web.pdf
Which approach has been shown to be especially effective in improving mental health?
a) regular physical activity
b) a balanced diet
c) getting enough sleep
Correct answer: regular physical activity
Studies show that regular exercise significantly improves not only our physical health, but our mental health as well. Physical activity can reduce the risk of depression by about 20%. Even light exercise, such as going for a walk, can help. However, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet are also important for both physical and mental health.
Sources:
Robert Koch-Institut (RKI). Körperliche Aktivität/ Sport. https://www.rki.de/DE/Themen/Nichtuebertragbare-Krankheiten/Lebensweise-und-Gesundheit/Aktivitaet/aktivitaet-node.html