Irish people struggling more than ever with mental health challenges

Irish people are struggling with mental health more than ever, despite an increase in available information, according to findings published as part of the Irish Life Health of the Nation Report 2025. The research examines Ireland’s overall health and wellbeing standards across a range of metrics, pinpointing the current health challenges Irish adults face, and highlighting the opportunities to make positive changes for our overall wellbeing.

Data show that stress levels are still rising, with 29 per cent feeling anxious or stressed more than half the time. Additionally, 19 per cent report feeling sad or depressed just as often. Younger adults continue to be the most stressed group, with more than two-thirds feeling stressed on a weekly basis. Stress levels are also rising among 35- to 54-year-olds, increasing from 54 per cent in 2024 to 57 per cent this year.

The research highlights how stress is impacting each generation differently, revealing the pressures and challenges across age groups. Adults under 35 are primarily stressed by work-related factors, while those aged 35-54 report stress from household tasks, parenting, and a demanding workload in their professional life.

More than half of adults say they are actively trying to reduce their stress levels, but admit that while they know what steps to take to improve their mental health, they struggle to put them into practice.

The research also found that adults are increasingly turning to social media and AI for health information. Half of those under 35 report receiving a significant amount of health-related content through social media, while nearly one-third have used AI to get a better understanding of their health.

Despite this growing reliance, more people wish to spend less time on social media and online in general. For the first time, alcohol consumption is no longer the most cited habit people want to reduce their dependence on, with over half indicating they want to cut back on their social media use.

Commenting on the findings, Stacey Machesney, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Irish Life, said: “What really stood out in this year’s findings is the number of people actively seeking to reduce their dependence on social media. At Irish Life, we’re seeing a sharp rise in demand from corporate organisations for our programmes that build healthier digital habits and support employees in managing their relationship with technology.

“Encouragingly, more employers are now interested in expanding these supports to families, recognising the impact on children and teenagers too. That shift marks a real turning point and awareness is no longer enough – the challenge now is to turn intent into action by promoting more mindful and purposeful use of technology in everyday life.”

Irish Life’s Health of the Nation research tracks key indicators, scored out of 1,000, to create the National Health Index, a benchmark measuring the overall health of the population each year. The National Health Index has improved slightly for the first time in several years, rising to 523 in 2025, up from 520 in 2024. This increase reflects a combination of trends, including a decrease in the health score among women and a rise among men, highlighting ongoing disparities in wellbeing.

Despite this small improvement, the National Health Index remains in the ‘good’ category, but below pre-pandemic levels of 545 in 2019, underlining the continued need to address stress and promote healthier lifestyle habits to improve the nation’s overall health.

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