A Eurobarometer Survey published by the European Commission in April 2003 indicates that almost a quarter of those questioned reported mental health problems, that practical help was difficult to obtain and there is often little or limited social support for sufferers. The highest proportion of mental health problems were identified in Italy and Portugal (with strong differences between sexes, higher rates noted amongst women) and the lowest figures in Finland and Sweden. Occurrence scores of mental health problems by marital status indicate higher rates in Southern Europe countries – generally those with a more traditional vision of the family -(Italy, Portugal, Greece) – especially for divorced and widowed – and lower rates for Nordic countries.
The Eurobarometer surveyed that poor response rates and cultural differences may raise questions on the representativity of the results.