Mental health disorders are on the rise in the Albanian population, and the phenomenon has experienced a swift escalation following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Official data from the Ministry of Health indicates that during the first quarter of 2023, the number of individuals admitted to psychiatric facilities increased by approximately 50%, reaching 1,122 patients, compared to 749 during the first quarter of 2022.
Hospital admissions have also seen an upswing in other medical services, with around 99,500 people hospitalized in the first quarter, reflecting a 15% year-on-year increase. Data shows that activities in public hospitals have witnessed growth across all services.
As the burden of diseases increases due to the aging population and lifestyle factors, some medical services are facing shortages in staff and facilities. This inadequacy is especially evident in mental health and heart disease-related hospital services.
In relation to the population’s needs, Albania has a low number of doctors per capita, with an acute shortage of psychiatrists.
Psychiatrists assess that the prevalence of mental illnesses in the population is higher than officially reported, as there is underdiagnosing due to the population’s low cultural acceptance of mental health issues.
While anxiety is not treated or managed in psychiatric hospitals, polyclinic doctors report a significant increase in patients suffering from anxiety during this period compared to previous years.
Another contributing factor to the increase in anxiety patients is the rapid change in temperatures.
The COVID-19 pandemic has left a profound impact on mental health. The World Health Organization has called for increased healthcare capacity to address mental health issues.
Stress, depression, and mental disorders, in general, were exacerbated by several unexpected events during the past year. The earthquake in 2019, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and high prices, have created mental instability and worsened the condition of those predisposed to depression.
After stabilization in 2022, the number of patients in psychiatric hospitals began to rise again. Doctors assert that patients tend to neglect symptoms and medication treatment until they reach a severe condition requiring hospitalization.
One of the largest studies conducted to date on the mental effects of COVID-19 found that individuals who recover from the virus may suffer from psychiatric or neurological problems up to six months later.
The study, published in the “Lancet Psychiatry” journal, examined health data from over 23,000 patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and revealed that 34% of them experienced neurological or psychiatric issues within six months.
