The 2026 Aware National Mental Health Survey reveals respondents consider Connection and Understanding as important steps to managing mental health, while Stigma remains a concern.

Marking Aware Mental Health Week 2026 (5-11th October, including World Mental Health Day) Aware, the national organisation for those affected by depression, bipolar and anxiety, have today published their annual National Mental Health Survey with insights from the Irish public on how we understand and support our mental health.

Key findings from Aware’s survey include:

• 61% of people surveyed believe they have experienced depression at some point in their life, with 1 in 5 having a diagnosis. The survey indicates that the prevalence of those who have experienced mental health issues has increased since 2024.

• Whereas over half of all over 55-year-olds report they have not experienced depression compared with only 28% of 18-24 year olds.

• A third of people living with a chronic illness (31%) report a current experience of depression.

• The total number of survey respondents who indicated they have never felt depressed, down or hopeless, has decreased by 10 percentage points compared with the 2024 National Survey (from 58% to 48%).

• Of those surveyed who experience depression or anxiety, less than one in five (18%) indicated that they have participated in a mental health education programme to support their mental health, with one in six (16%) of them indicating that they attended regular psychotherapy.

• In this year’s survey financial pressures emerge as the largest factor impacting on mental health - as money (54%) remains the leading factor negatively affecting wellbeing.

• Stigma remains an issue as 34% of those who have experienced symptoms cited shame/embarrassment for delay in accessing supports.

Find the full Aware National Survey for 2026 published at aware.ie/national-survey-2026

Aware Mental Health Week 2026 shines a light on the power of understanding your mental health, using peer supports, and telling real stories, so that nobody faces depression alone.

Aware’s Clinical Director, Dr Susan Brannick said: “Our results show that depression and anxiety remain a challenge for many people with a sizable proportion currently experiencing symptoms of depression (2 in 10) which they report having a significant impact on daily life. Of those surveyed, 21% report a diagnosis of depression, and 4 in 10 of those who reported experiencing anxiety told us they struggle to function on a daily basis because their anxiety is so bad. These results offer a snapshot of how people in Ireland are living with mental health difficulties and highlight the need for responsive and timely mental health supports and services for all.”

“I would advise anyone who is struggling with their mental health or wants to get more education in relation to bipolar or depression to go to Aware, and take a look at the services they offer… I want to continue to be a voice for Aware because mental health is a huge part of my story and that of so many other people, so we need to keep talking about it.” Arlene Bailey, Aware Lived Experience Expert