COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact on Mental Health & Wellbeing in Switzerland
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the wellbeing and mental health of populations worldwide, and Switzerland was no exception.
- A study published in June 15, 2025 in Frontiers in Psychiatry, analyzed data from a national survey conducted as part of the COH-FIT study.
- The study involved 2024 data collection and included responses from 4,037 individuals in Switzerland regarding their wellbeing, and 3,375 individuals reporting on their mental health.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the wellbeing and mental health of populations worldwide, and Switzerland was no exception. Recent analyses of data collected during the pandemic reveal a complex picture, with varying degrees of impact across different regions and demographic groups. While Switzerland fared comparatively well in maintaining overall wellbeing compared to some other nations, the pandemic still resulted in increased psychological distress.
A study published in in Frontiers in Psychiatry, analyzed data from a national survey conducted as part of the COH-FIT study. Researchers, including a team from the University Psychiatric Clinics Basel and the University of Basel, found that wellbeing decreased and mental health burdens increased throughout the pandemic. This confirms findings from earlier research, such as the Corona-Stress Study conducted by the University of Basel.
The study involved data collection and included responses from 4,037 individuals in Switzerland regarding their wellbeing, and 3,375 individuals reporting on their mental health. Participants were asked to assess their current feelings and compare them to their state of mind before the pandemic. The assessment of wellbeing utilized the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Well-Being Index (WHO-5), while psychological distress was measured using a P-Score, which evaluates dimensions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.
Interestingly, the Swiss population experienced a less severe decline in mental health compared to many other countries. According to Christian Huber, Chefarzt and stv. Klinikdirektor at the UPK Basel, and leader of the research group “Psychiatrische Versorgungsforschung” at the University of Basel, “The values for wellbeing were already higher here before the pandemic, and the measures to contain the virus were less drastic than in other countries.” Factors such as a strong healthcare system and social safety net may have also contributed to this relative resilience.
However, the impact of the pandemic was not uniform across Switzerland. Regional disparities were observed, with individuals in the canton of Ticino, the Lake Geneva region, and Northwestern Switzerland reporting lower mental health scores and higher levels of psychological distress compared to those in central and eastern Switzerland. Researchers suggest that differing cantonal regulations and their impact on daily life may explain these regional variations. The concentration of population in urban areas, and the resulting limitations on social interactions and leisure activities, could have also played a role.
The study also highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring of the population’s mental health. “How strongly the pandemic will affect people’s mental health in the long term is still unclear. Some effects only become apparent with a time delay,” explains Huber. Regular surveys are crucial for tracking trends and identifying emerging needs.
Looking ahead, Huber emphasizes the need for preventative measures to strengthen the population’s mental resilience. He suggests training lay individuals to provide support during crises and promoting mental health awareness and destigmatization, building on progress already made in reducing stigma around conditions like depression and ADHD. “It is important to me to include in crisis management how great the psychological burden can be. Then you need support measures,” he stated.
Further analysis of the COH-FIT study data is planned, with results expected by the end of . This additional research will aim to identify specific risk factors associated with increased psychological distress and to evaluate the effectiveness of different coping strategies employed during the pandemic.
A related policy brief, published on , identified several policy options for improving access to mental health services in Switzerland in the aftermath of the pandemic. These include strengthening services for vulnerable populations, restructuring mental health services to cope with increased demand, and enhancing prevention and promotion efforts. The brief notes that children, adolescents, young women, socially isolated individuals, and those with pre-existing health conditions were particularly vulnerable during the pandemic.
Research published in also focused specifically on the impact of the pandemic on young people in Switzerland, finding that their mental health and wellbeing were particularly affected. This underscores the need for targeted interventions to support this age group.
While the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in Switzerland appears to have been less severe than in some other countries, the findings emphasize the importance of continued vigilance, ongoing research, and proactive measures to protect and promote the mental wellbeing of the population.