Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs Seeks New Solution for Mental Health Support

The Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Enterprise and Innovation Foundation (EISA), is seeking a solution to help people receive faster assistance for mental health issues. The project budget is nearly 2 million euros. The goal is to create a digital pathway for accessing mental health support, ensuring quicker and simpler access to care.

Under the plan, patients will first complete an online self-assessment of their condition and then automatically receive access to appropriate evidence-based help. The system, known as stepped care, will initially focus on the most common mental health problems, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders.

Project manager Kertu Müüd explained that stepped care means support is provided gradually and intensifies only as needed. Until now, mental health care primarily involved medical treatment, but the project aims to create service levels before entering the healthcare system, including structured self-help programs and low-intensity psychological interventions.

The initial stage will use digital screening – individuals can assess their condition at home and, based on the result, receive first-step help such as self-help programs with practical exercises to be completed over several weeks. After completing the program, a reassessment is conducted; if symptoms persist, the person is automatically referred for a second-level evaluation.

At the second level, help is provided by trained non-healthcare professionals. If there is no improvement, the individual is referred to a family doctor.

According to the Ministry, the problem is widespread: every second young person in Estonia faces mental health issues. One in four adults is at risk of depression, and one in five at risk of anxiety disorders. Among adolescents aged 15–17, every second has symptoms of anxiety or depression; among young people aged 18–24, every second is at risk of depression.

In the competition of ideas announced by the Ministry, Estonia's mental health care system is often described using an hourglass metaphor: people try to cope on their own, then try to immediately see a specialist. The main problem is the lack of early-stage support. The Ministry believes stepped care will reduce the burden on specialists and ensure that those who most need support receive it.