2023-06-20 03:00:31
Since 2019, various programs have been running in Amsterdam to prevent or stabilize mental complaints. Image Berlinda van Dam/ANP
To start with some figures: the number of Amsterdammers who feel lonely has risen in (the aftermath of) the corona period from 15 percent in 2020 to 23 percent in the autumn of 2022. More and more residents also suffer from anxiety and depression: in 2020 this was 9 percent, now 16 percent. Amsterdammers also experience stress more often due to money worries or work, for example: that percentage rose from 22 to 32 percent.
Research also shows that fewer and fewer residents rate their general health as good. In 2020 that was still 79 percent, in 2022 that percentage had dropped to 68. In 2012 and 2016 things went much better for the Amsterdammer: 75 percent experienced their own health as good. The current decrease can mainly be seen among residents with a vulnerable financial position, according to the study published on Tuesday by GGD Amsterdam.
These are figures that worry alderman for health care Alexander Scholtes. “With young adults, we have already seen that they were hit hard [door de coronacrisis] with possible lasting effects on mental health. Now we see this in adults as well. It particularly affects the practically trained. It shows that we still have a lot of work to do to tackle health inequalities in the city.”
Expand and sustain
Since 2019, various programs have been running in Amsterdam to prevent mental complaints or to ensure that they do not get worse. But so far they don’t seem to have the desired effect. The corona years have made it more difficult to roll out these programs properly, says the alderman. He does point out, however, that things could have been even worse if the municipality had done nothing.
Scholtes says that this is precisely why the city should do more to improve mental resilience. “At the end of May, as part of the week of mental health, I was with actors from Mocro Maffia in the DeLaMar annex in West. Young Moroccan Dutch people talked about mental health, which is often taboo. That’s a start. We need to expand that. As a society you then become more resilient.”
Never being able to say goodbye
A quarter of Amsterdammers are still experiencing direct problems due to the virus. This is possible because they themselves have been in hospital with corona and are still struggling with lung covid, or have suffered trauma from their time in intensive care. There is also a lot of sadness among residents who have lost a loved one to corona, and have not been able to say goodbye properly due to the measures.
The effects of corona are not only reflected in mental and physical health. More than 75 percent of the respondents say that they will still experience the consequences of the pandemic on a daily basis in the autumn of 2022. Some mention the bond with friends and family, which is no longer like before corona. On the other hand, a large group likes the fact that working from home has remained possible, making it easier for them to combine work and private life.
livelihoods at stake
The figures once again show that the livelihoods of many residents are at stake. Of all those surveyed, 30 percent say they have difficulty making ends meet. Nationally, this is 19 percent. In recent years, the municipality has introduced various poverty schemes to combat this. For example, the income limit for all minimum benefits has been raised from 120 to 130 percent and even to 150 percent for people with children up to the age of 18.
Alderman Scholtes hopes that this will have a positive effect in the long run. “It is one of the factors that should help to improve health, just as we want to ensure that fewer people smoke. All in all, this should ensure that things are better with the next monitor.”
Striking figures from Amsterdam 2022
– 29 percent have insufficient money for membership of a sports club
– 24 percent smoke tobacco
– 18 percent have insufficient money to heat the house
– 17 percent have insufficient money to visit someone
– 16 percent have insufficient money for healthy food
– 16 percent have used ecstasy in the past year
– 14 percent have thought about suicide in the last year
– 9 percent drink excessively
David Hielkema writes about Amsterdam politics and specializes in investigative stories. Suggestions or comments? [email protected]
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