Research finds British people have worst mental health in Europe
But more people believed their community was kinder
The UK has the worst mental health in Europe, with over 1 in 3 people in the country suffering with a mental health condition, according to new research.
Figures published in the Axa Mind Health Study found that 37% of people surveyed in the UK suffered from at least one mental health condition, with 24% of respondents "struggling".
Over 11,000 people were surveyed across 11 countries in Europe and Asia about their mental wellbeing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
But despite having the highest rate of mental illness in Europe, many people said that the pandemic helped to destigmatise asking for help for their mental health.
Half of those asked in the UK believed that Covid had helped people to open up about their mental health, compared to only 31% across other European and Asian countries.
This push for better mental health has also stretched into the workplace and the community, with just under half of people surveyed in the UK saying they cared about the wellbeing of their neighbourhood.
As a result, the UK is becoming a more empathetic nation, with over half of those responding they look after themselves and others around them better than they had previously.
Speaking about the results of the study, Research Director at Kindness.org, Dr Oliver Scott Curry spoke of the benefits of being kind to yourself and others.
"The pandemic has disrupted our social networks and forced us to forge new relationships closer to home. Kindness is a great way of making new friends, and the pandemic has offered plenty of opportunities to help others. As this study shows, people have taken those opportunities. And consistent with previous research, they have found that helping others is deeply rewarding," he said.
"As a result, people have come to see their local communities as friendlier places. Hopefully people will take these newfound social skills back with them to work, where mutual support and cooperation is key to a happy and healthy company."