A new study shows that ethnic minorities in Denmark experience higher levels of stress, depression and have poorer mental health.
Denmark consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world, and its healthcare system may be one of the reasons. According to the Health at a Glance report, Denmark particularly stands out in access to care, where it outperforms other OECD countries on almost all indicators. Everyone is covered for essential healthcare services in Denmark, with 81% applauding its quality, surpassing the OECD average.
However, Denmark is not flawless when it comes to mental health, especially for ethnic minorities. The latest report of the Danish Health Authorities showed that people with other than Danish origins experience much higher levels of stress, loneliness and depression.
This study, published in 2023, has involved 183 thousand individuals residing in Denmark. For this report, a random sample of people aged 16 or older, representing each of the country’s five regions, along with a comprehensive sample covering all of Denmark, has been selected. The study relied on a questionnaire consisting of 56 questions.
According to the report, more than a quarter of people with Middle Eastern or North African roots and other European backgrounds show the lowest levels of mental health. The situation among individuals with Danish background seems to be better, at almost 17%.
‘‘…They have reached a point where they can’t do it anymore’’
In an interview with TV 2 Kosmopol in Denmark, Iram Khawaja, associate professor of psychology and co-founder of the Psykologfaglig Network against Discrimination, highlighted that this phenomenon is commonly referred to as minority stress. “Minority stress refers to the special stresses that apply when you live as a minority in a society”, she stated.
Khawaha explained that stress among ethnic minorities often manifests as heightened alertness, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and, to some people, even depression.
She emphasized that minority stress should be viewed not solely as an individual or personal issue but as a societal problem.
“In our psychology professional network, we get a lot of inquiries that relate to an increased experience of being exposed, being particularly stressed, being vulnerable due to many different experiences, and then they have reached a point where they can’t do it anymore”, explains Iram Khawaja.
The Danish Health Authorities study highlighted that ethnic minorities feel more stress, loneliness and depression than the ethnic Danes. Almost a half of respondents with Middle Eastern, North African and other European countries’ origins experienced a higher proportion of stress. Respondents with the same background also showed higher levels of depression and unhappiness. The problem is less evident for people with Danish origins – a quarter of respondents showed high degree of stress and almost 8% – of unhappiness.
by Group 3D.
Artwork by by Lizaveta Arkhipava.