Mental health is an important foundation of our well-being. To assess its state, AXA conducts the annual Mind Health Study. Of the 1,000 study participants surveyed in Switzerland, one in four reported suffering from a mental health condition. Depression and anxiety disorders were among the most frequently cited issues (12% and 9%, respectively). At 39%, the 18–24 age group is the most affected. This figure remained at a high level compared with the previous year (38%). The second most affected group is those aged 45–54 (30%), followed by those aged 25–34 (25%). According to respondents, the least affected age groups are 35–44-year-olds (23%) and people aged 55 and over (19%). Among those aged 25–34 and 35–44, mental health improved compared with the previous year (from 36% to 25% for the first group and from 32% to 23% for the second). In contrast, the mental health of people aged 55 and over deteriorated slightly compared with the previous year, rising from 14% to 19%.
Fears about the Future and Constant Exposure to Negative News
But what factors are contributing to the deterioration of mental health among the Swiss population? A total of 43% of respondents stated that uncertainty about the future is a source of concern for them. Financial worries and insecurity in the labour market are also causing problems for many people (42%). In addition, constant exposure to negative media coverage (35%), social and political unrest (35%), and geopolitical instability (34%) weigh on respondents’ mental well-being. It is also noteworthy that one in four respondents (28%) said that social media negatively affects their mental health.
Screen Time Worsens Sleep Quality
Two out of three respondents stated that screen time has a negative impact on their daily lives. Among 18–24-year-olds, almost all respondents (93%) agreed with this statement. As age increases, the negative perception of screen time steadily declines, and among people aged 55 and over, only 46% still perceive negative effects. According to the study participants, the most common negative impacts are on sleep quality (44%), concentration (42%), physical activity (39%), and overall mood (38%).
AI: A Point of Contact for Mental Health Issues
Not all people experiencing mental health problems in Switzerland are willing to seek professional help. According to a survey, there are several reasons for this. The most common reason (45%) is the belief that professional support is unnecessary. In addition, 35% of those affected cite costs as a reason for not seeking professional assistance. More than half of respondents (55%) report using AI applications regularly or at least occasionally for mental health-related matters. AI tools are most commonly used to learn more about one’s own mental health (37%) or to find advice on how to help others improve their mental well-being (36%). One-third of respondents use artificial intelligence to identify appropriate measures for monitoring and supporting mental health.
This article was originally published on the AXA website on 03 June 2026.