Finnish earnings-related pension provider Elo has reported that in the first half of 2024, 37 per cent of disability pensions applied for on mental health grounds concern people under the age of 35.

Between 2018 and 2023, the number of disability pensions applied for on mental health grounds by people under the age of 35 has increased by 41 per cent. In this group, applications from young adults earning between €20,000 and €50,000 have increased the most.

"It is alarming that young people who are attached to working life end up seeking help from the so-called last stop-shop, i.e. the earnings-related pension insurance company. These young people are not entitled to a disability pension. Something is seriously wrong when people in their 20s and 30s doubt whether they still have work ability," Elo director of work ability, Kati Korhonen- Yrjänheikki, said.

In the case of young adults, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are the reasons cited by disability pension applicants.

Anxiety alone is not grounds for disability pension, but it is included as a diagnosis in 39 per cent of disability pensions granted by Elo. According to Kela's statistics, nearly 50,000 Finns received sickness allowance based on anxiety disorders in 2023. The growth of the phenomenon has been very steep, and the growth has been strongest among those aged under 35.

According to Korhonen-Yrjänheikki, anxiety can unfortunately already be referred to as a national disease among young people.

"The increase in anxiety is a worrying phenomenon and a significant work ability risk for young people's future. There are two phenomena at hand. We must not leave serious cases of anxiety untreated, and we must ensure that these young people get the help they need. At the same time, we see the phenomenon that normal, life-related adversities and unpleasant feelings have started to be treated as mental health problems. We must ensure that young people grow up resilient to withstand life's bumps," Korhonen-Yrjänheikki said.

According to Kela, more than 100,000 Finns were on sick leave lasting at least 10 weekdays for mental health reasons. Korhonen-Yrjänheikki emphasises that the majority of sick leave granted to young people is short, lasting about a couple of weeks.

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