ZAGREB, 10 Oct (Hina) – People in Croatia report being generally satisfied with life but emotionally drained, according to the National Mood Survey 2024, published by the Croatian Psychological Chamber on World Mental Health Day, observed today.

The survey, based on responses from 4,257 participants, highlights the need to make mental health care part of everyday life, the chamber said.

As part of its annual “Good day, how are you?” campaign, more than 180 psychologists will engage with citizens at public venues across the country to provide on-the-spot assessments and advice.

Data collected between 2017 and 2024 show that one in four Croatians experiences elevated or very high levels of distress.

More than 80% say they are satisfied with their lives, but 69% report at least occasional sleep problems, and 84% sometimes feel sad or unhappy, with about 10% feeling this way often. Psychologists also note a growing sense of “silent loneliness”, as roughly a third of respondents report having social support only occasionally or rarely.
The most vulnerable groups are women and those under 25, followed by the unemployed and less educated citizens, who experience the highest stress levels. By contrast, employed people and those in relationships report the strongest resilience and greatest life satisfaction.

In 2017, 30% of citizens said they struggled to cope with problems; today that share has risen to 33%. The proportion of those needing professional help increased from 6% to 8%, while the share of people reporting frequent dark thoughts has slightly declined.

Despite a mild rise in overall satisfaction, psychologists conclude that the underlying quality of life remains unchanged.