It is commonly believed that countries which are blessed with warm weather and sunshine almost all year round have low rates of mental health issues among their populations. Surprisingly though, in the case of Greece, the official numbers tell a different story, proving this belief to be a misconception. The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies has revealed that one in five Greeks suffer from some kind of mental health problem. However, psychiatric health experts are optimistic, saying that lifestyle is closely linked to mental health disorders and that proactive measures could help alleviate their effects.
A Nation Under Strain
Greece has one of the highest burdens of mental health issues in the EU, with evidence suggesting that nearly 2 million people—around 19% of the population—had a mental health issue in 2019, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation; this puts Greece in third place in the EU. The most common mental conditions that Greeks face are depressive disorders, which affect 7 % of the population, anxiety disorders (6 %) and alcohol and drug-use disorders (2 %).
Another indicator suggesting that the nation is grappling with psychological pressure is the consumption of more than six million boxes of anti-anxiety medications in Greece in 2024. Adults of all ages are increasingly turning to pharmaceuticals in search of mental calm, restful sleep, and emotional relief. But what has pushed Greek society to such a state of collective unrest?
Urban Stress and Societal Shifts
According to Professor Konstantinos Fountoulakis, Vice President of the Hellenic Psychiatric Association, rapid societal shifts and unchecked urbanization lie at the heart of many mental health issues. The drastic changes in the structure of society, along with the emergence of a more urbanized and fast-paced lifestyle, are placing psychological pressure on individuals; ultimately, these societal shifts are reshaping the psychological landscape of modern Greece.
The Rise of Lifestyle Psychiatry
Fortunately, a growing psychiatric field called Lifestyle Psychiatry is transforming how experts perceive and address mental health. At its core is the belief—supported by a plethora of scientific evidence—that early lifestyle intervention can ease the symptoms of mental health disorders in individuals.
Renowned Greek psychiatrist Professor Antonios Dakanalis told TO BHMA International Edition that our lifestyle choices are deeply intertwined with our psychological well-being, and that non-medical intervention is possible, if not imperative.
Πsychiatrist Professor Antonios Dakanalis
Key Questions in Lifestyle Psychiatry
Professor Dakanalis explained that Lifestyle Psychiatry addresses two crucial questions: how can we prevent mental health disorders, and how can we improve their course once they appear?
“The answer lies in our daily habits; in the things we do (or fail to do) every single day. This is where mental resilience is built,” he stressed. Our mental health, he argued, is to a significant extent within our control.
Despite popular belief, mental health problems simply don’t just “happen to us” as a result of our fate or genetic makeup, the professor noted. Modern studies show that conditions like depression, ADHD and anxiety aren’t solely rooted in genes or past traumas. They can be triggered—or exacerbated—by lifestyle factors: poor sleep, an unhealthy diet, sedentary habits, excessive screen time, substance use, a lack of meaningful relationships, and chronic stress.
The Six Pillars of Mental Wellness
Findings presented at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual conference in Los Angeles (May 17–20, 2025) clearly highlighted six core pillars of a healthy lifestyle. When practiced regularly, they can reduce the risk of an individual developing mental disorders and improve both their course and the quality of life for those already affected.
Nutrition
A healthy diet may be the most influential factor with regard to mental health. Professor Dakanalis advocates the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes hydration, fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, low-fat dairy, fish, and only occasional consumption of red meat. Emerging research shows that the sort of chronic brain inflammation directly linked to depression and anxiety disorders is fueled by processed foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats. Unsurprisingly, a poor diet is associated with up to a 60% higher risk of developing depression and anxiety, while adopting the Mediterranean diet has been associated with lower risks of depression, ADHD, and dementia.
Physical Activity
“Mens sana in corpore sano,” meaning “a healthy mind in a healthy body,” is a Latin phrase that captured the strong connection between mental wellness and physical health millennia ago! Activities like walking or running are very powerful natural antidepressants, emphasized Dakanalis, while a recent European study confirmed that regular exercise is as effective as medication in cases of mild depression. Beyond mood, it improves memory, focus, and sleep quality.
Sleep
Sleep disturbances are common in mental health conditions. In fact, sleeping less than six hours a night, or having poor-quality sleep, can increase the risk of major depressive disorders and suicidal thoughts by up to 40 times within a year. The professor explained that sleep deprivation can act as a physiological stressor, triggering inflammation and leading to fatigue, irritability, anger, cognitive impairment, and emotional overeating.
Stress Management
In today’s fast-paced world, stressors like tight deadlines, information overload, and relentless social expectations have become the norm. While not life-threatening, constant stress overstimulates the nervous system, which clearly has negative effects on both mental and physical health.
Prolonged exposure disrupts brain function and quality of life. Simple daily practices like yoga, deep breathing, light exercise, and practicing gratitude or short sessions of mindfulness and self-kindness may seem minor, but they can reduce stress by up to 30%, the professor noted.
Avoiding Addictive Behaviors
Substances like alcohol, nicotine or cannabis can also prove harmful for our mental health, Dakanalis emphasized. Though they may seem to offer temporary relief, over time these substances often amplify the anxiety they’re meant to ease, trapping users in a difficult-to-break cycle. Environmental pollutants and air quality are also mentioned as factors that play a significant role in our mental health.
Social Connection
Finally, meaningful supportive relationships are also critical for mental health, according to the professor. Healthy relationships reduce brain inflammation, boost mental resilience, and are even associated with longer lifespans. “The quality of our relationships is what matters!” Dakanalis concluded.
