Goda Ponomariovaitė highlights the disconnect between Lithuania's ranking as a 'happiest' place for youth and the stark realities of mental health challenges, stating, 'From our own experiences, there's a big problem with mental illness, and the country doesn't do enough about it.' She emphasizes the long waitlists for psychological help and a prevalent stigma surrounding mental health issues, indicating that many young people feel isolated in their struggles.
Reflecting on the impact of mental illness, Ponomariovaitė says, 'What made the report even more surprising to me was that someone I knew recently took her own life because she had a mental illness. Sadly, I think it's common here to know someone who has died by suicide.' This assertion underlines the urgent need for mental health resources, especially given Lithuania's high suicide rate.
Regarding societal perceptions, she states, 'In my opinion, there's still a significant stigma around mental health. You don't want to tell someone if you have depression, bipolar disorder, or anything else. You just keep it a secret.' This quote reveals the cultural barriers that prevent open discussions about mental health, contributing to the ongoing crisis.
Ponomariovaitė contrasts experiences of different generations, saying, 'I believe things aren't great for people under 30, but our parents had it even worse.' She provides context on the struggles faced by older generations during Soviet times, adding depth to her perspective on current mental health challenges.
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