Young women in Ireland have the highest levels of depression in Europe according to a new study.
Research from Eurofound shows that 17 percent of women between 15 and 24 in Ireland report being moderately or severely depressed, compared to an EU average of 9 percent.
The report highlights the impact of the economic crisis on young people with a 78% increase in homelessness among this age group between 2016 and 2018.
The study also highlights other pressures such as eating disorders and cyber bullying.
The report says 'Across the EU, 14% of young adults are at risk of depression, and 4% of young people aged 15-24 suffer from chronic depression. Young women are more likely to find themselves not in employment, education or training, and are significantly more likely to suffer depressive symptoms than young men.
The report also emphasises that gender is an important factor in depression: 'young women were more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms in most Member States, with significant gender gaps recorded in Denmark, Germany, Ireland and Sweden.'
