First Greek National Mental Health Survey Found 14% Had Psychiatric Disorders, With 2% Using Cannabis Monthly
The first nationally representative Greek mental health survey found 14% had clinically significant psychiatric morbidity, 2% used cannabis monthly, and common mental disorders were frequently undertreated and associated with lower quality of life.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
A survey of 4,894 Greeks found 14% had clinically significant psychiatric morbidity (17% females, 11% males). Most common disorders were generalized anxiety (4.1%), depression (2.9%), phobias (2.8%), mixed anxiety-depression (2.7%), panic (1.9%), and OCD (1.7%).
Substance use rates: harmful alcohol use 12.7%, regular smoking 39.6%, past-month cannabis use 2.1%. Psychiatric morbidity was associated with female gender, divorced/widowed status, low education, and unemployment. All substance use was more common in men. Mental disorders were often comorbid, undertreated, and associated with lower quality of life.
Key Numbers
4,894 participants. 14% psychiatric morbidity (F: 17%, M: 11%). GAD 4.1%, depression 2.9%, phobias 2.8%, mixed 2.7%. Cannabis use 2.1%. Smoking 39.6%. Harmful alcohol 12.7%. Associated: female gender, divorced, low education, unemployment.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional nationally representative survey. 4,894 individuals in private households (2009-2010). Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) for mental disorders. AUDIT for alcohol. Self-report for smoking and cannabis.
Why This Research Matters
This was the first study to assess the full range of common mental disorders in a representative Greek sample, providing baseline data during the period leading into Greece's severe economic crisis. The combination of high psychiatric morbidity and undertreatment highlights a public health gap.
The Bigger Picture
This survey established mental health baselines just before the Greek economic crisis intensified. The 39.6% smoking rate, among the highest in Europe, and the undertreatment of mental disorders together suggest a population with significant unmet mental health needs, potentially exacerbated by subsequent economic hardship.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design captures a single timepoint. The CIS-R measures symptoms in the past week, which may not reflect chronic conditions. Cannabis and drug use may be underreported. The survey was conducted as economic crisis was beginning, potentially affecting results. Household sampling misses homeless and institutionalized populations.
Questions This Raises
- ?Did the economic crisis worsen these mental health rates?
- ?Why is cannabis use so low in Greece compared to other European countries?
- ?Would increased mental health treatment capacity reduce substance use?
- ?Has the undertreated mental disorder burden changed since 2010?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 14% psychiatric morbidity with 2% monthly cannabis use in Greece
- Evidence Grade:
- Large nationally representative survey with validated instruments; moderate evidence for prevalence estimates.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2013 (data from 2009-2010). Greek mental health has been significantly impacted by the subsequent economic crisis.
- Original Title:
- Prevalence and sociodemographic associations of common mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of the general population of Greece.
- Published In:
- BMC psychiatry, 13, 163 (2013)
- Authors:
- Skapinakis, Petros, Bellos, Stefanos, Koupidis, Sotirios, Grammatikopoulos, Ilias, Theodorakis, Pavlos N, Mavreas, Venetsanos
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00736
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How common is cannabis use in Greece?
Only 2.1% of the Greek population reported using cannabis in the past month, which is lower than many other European countries. This may reflect cultural attitudes, legal enforcement, or underreporting. By contrast, smoking (39.6%) and harmful alcohol use (12.7%) were much more prevalent.
Are mental health disorders being adequately treated in Greece?
No. The survey found that common mental disorders were frequently undertreated. This is particularly concerning because 14% of the population had clinically significant psychiatric morbidity, these disorders were often comorbid (multiple conditions in the same person), and they were associated with significantly lower quality of life.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00736APA
Skapinakis, Petros; Bellos, Stefanos; Koupidis, Sotirios; Grammatikopoulos, Ilias; Theodorakis, Pavlos N; Mavreas, Venetsanos. (2013). Prevalence and sociodemographic associations of common mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of the general population of Greece.. BMC psychiatry, 13, 163. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-13-163
MLA
Skapinakis, Petros, et al. "Prevalence and sociodemographic associations of common mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of the general population of Greece.." BMC psychiatry, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-13-163
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Prevalence and sociodemographic associations of common menta..." RTHC-00736. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/skapinakis-2013-prevalence-and-sociodemographic-associations
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.