Why a Gen Z student is questioning the No. 1 of Lithuania’s world happiness

From our own experiences, there is a big problem with mental illness and the country is not doing enough about it.

If you are struggling, there are huge waiting lists to get psychological help.

At my university, psychologists are available, but sometimes you have to wait two or three months to get support.

What made the report even more surprising to me was that someone I knew recently took his own life because he had a mental illness.

Unfortunately, I think it’s common here to meet someone who committed suicide.

(According to the latest OECD data, Lithuania has the highest suicide rate in Europe, with 20.3 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people.)

In my opinion, there is still a significant stigma around mental health.

You don’t want to tell anyone if you have depression, bipolar disorder, or anything else. Just keep it secret.

I guess things aren’t great for people under 30, but our parents had it even worse.

Older people often say, “You never lived in the Soviet Union. You don’t know what it was like, yet you’re so depressed all the time.”

I heard stories from my mother and grandmother about what life was like back then – when bananas were something you only tasted once a year and getting proper meat was a luxury.

It was tough in Soviet times.

Finally, I am thankful that I was not born in the Soviet Union. I was born in 2002, 11 years after we gained our independence.

And although Lithuania is not Denmark, where I lived briefly and thought it was such a clean and perfect country, I am still happy to live here.

It’s not hard to find a job, the wages are getting better and you feel safe.

Mental health issues aside, I’d say it’s a pretty good place to live.

But still, Lithuania being the happiest place in the world for Generation Z? This really surprises me.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming or killing themselves, get help. In the US, call or text 988 to get in touch suicide and crisiswhich provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practice for professionals and resources to help with prevention and crisis situations.

Help is also available via Crisis text line — just text “HOME” to 741741.

The International Association for Suicide Prevention provides resources for those outside the US.