There are worrying signs of a deepening psychological health and well-being crisis for employees in Greece, according to the third survey conducted by EY Greece, Hellas EAP, and the Laboratory of Experimental Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
The survey analyzed nine categories—anxiety, depression, somatisation, anger, loneliness, wellbeing, work quality of life, as well as attitudes toward remote work and mental health.
Responses gathered from 4,457 workers of all ages, in the Greek public and private sectors, show a mental health crisis that has deeper, more permanent characteristics that can’t be attributed to previous pandemic-era stresses.
This year’s survey records significantly increased symptoms of depression, anxiety and anger amongst employees. For instance, 80% of respondents now feel nervousness or inner turmoil, up from 75% in 2023 and 68% in 2021. 13% experience panic attacks, up from 8% in 2021.
Depression symptoms are worsening too, with 44% reporting feeling melancholy (up from 40% in 2023), and 47% expressing pessimism about the future (up from 35% in 2021). A worrying 4% of respondents has even seriously considered ending their own life, up from 2% in 2023.
Anger symptoms are also on the rise. 80% feel anxiety/nervousness (up from 75% in 2023), while 32% have angry outbursts they cannot control (up from 28% in 2023). 14% of respondents have expressed the desire either to hit, injure or harm another person, up from 10% in 2023 and 7% in 2021.
Furthermore, 32% of employees have experienced some form of harassment (verbal, sexual, etc.) over that past two years at work, which has negatively impacted their mental health.
The combined psychological toll is evident in employee productivity. 61% of employees say they feel tired when their day begins (up from 53% in 2023). Four in ten employees are finding it hard to concentrate on their work, while only 30% are motivated and happy in their workplace (down from 37% in 2023). Only 48% of respondents saying that they can manage their current stress levels, down from 52% in 2023.
While mental health awareness is increasing—79% of employees consider mental health a priority for themselves and for others—perceived support from employers is severely lacking. A mere 21% of respondents believed that their organization cares for their psychological health and well-being.
According to the survey, workers deal with a broad range of anxieties. 55% feel intense worry related to geopolitical unrest, socio-economic developments, or climate change or other factors. 37% is concerned about how digital technologies such as AI and automation will impact their work.
Greek employees request that workplaces take concrete steps to address these issues, including appropriate selection of supervisors (48%) and executive training in caring for their employee’s well-being (47%). Furthermore, 42% cite the need for a dedicated psychologist in their workplace.
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