{"id":28187,"date":"2026-06-29T15:18:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T15:18:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asquarepartners.com\/?p=28187"},"modified":"2026-06-29T15:47:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T15:47:51","slug":"axa-mind-health-report-2026-mental-health-becomes-a-strategic-challenge-for-employers-and-insurers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asquarepartners.com\/fr\/axa-mind-health-report-2026-mental-health-becomes-a-strategic-challenge-for-employers-and-insurers\/","title":{"rendered":"AXA Mind Health Report 2026: Mental health becomes a strategic challenge for employers and insurers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mental health is no longer solely a public health issue. It is increasingly becoming an economic, social and insurance challenge, affecting workforce resilience, productivity, disability claims and healthcare costs.\u00a0<\/p>

The\u00a0AXA Mind Health Report 2026<\/a>, conducted across 18 countries including Belgium, highlights a worrying deterioration in mental wellbeing while identifying opportunities for employers, insurers and public institutions to strengthen prevention and early intervention. Beyond measuring mental health trends, the report explores the drivers behind this evolution, from economic uncertainty and digital habits to changing workplace expectations, and provides valuable insights into how organisations can respond.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Half of Belgians are now experiencing poor mental wellbeing<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For the first time since the study began in 2021, 50% of the Belgian population reports being in a negative mental wellbeing spiral<\/strong>. While the proportion of Belgians reporting a mental health condition has remained relatively stable since 2023 (31%), depression continues to rise significantly, affecting 18% of respondents<\/strong>, an increase of seven percentage points compared with 2021.<\/p>

The report suggests that this deterioration is driven by a combination of interconnected factors rather than a single cause. Political uncertainty, financial pressure, professional instability and broader societal concerns all contribute to increased anxiety about the future. Digital lifestyles also appear to play an increasingly important role.<\/p>

Belgian adults now spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes per day in front of screens, rising to 5 hours and 30 minutes among people under 35. Nearly two-thirds of respondents believe excessive screen time negatively affects their mental wellbeing, mainly through poorer sleep quality and increased feelings of social isolation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Young adults and women remain the most vulnerable populations<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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As in previous editions, the study reveals important differences across demographic groups.<\/p>

Young adults between 18 and 34 years old<\/strong> continue to experience the highest levels of psychological distress, with 41% reporting mental health problems<\/strong>. Women also remain disproportionately affected, with 35% declaring mental health difficulties<\/strong>, regardless of age.<\/p>

These findings highlight that mental wellbeing cannot be addressed through a one-size-fits-all approach. Prevention strategies need to consider the different realities faced by specific population groups, particularly younger generations entering the workforce and balancing increasing professional, financial and social pressures.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Awareness has improved but access to the right support remains a challenge<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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One encouraging development is that mental health has become a far less taboo subject than it was only a few years ago. However, greater awareness has not necessarily translated into better access to appropriate support.<\/p>

Almost half of Belgians (48%) did not consult any mental health professional during the past twelve months<\/strong>.<\/p>

The two main barriers remain unchanged:<\/p>