One in five experiences stress at work

Pressure and exhaustion at work may lead to stress and depression Keystone

A large majority of the Swiss population considers their health and life quality as good, but almost one in five is under pressure at work, according to health data published on Tuesday.

As many as 83% of the population say that their health and 92% say their life quality is “good” or “very good”,  according to data gathered for the Swiss Health Survey 2012. Still, as many as 18% suffer from mental pressure and feel “emotionally exhausted”, the statistics showed.

As much as 17% of the working population experience stress on the job all or most of the time and almost half of the people surveyed are stressed at times, according to the Federal Statistical Office.

Exhaustion and stress may be an indication that people are in danger of suffering from burnout, the authors of the survey wrote. The high requirements in professional life may contribute to mental pressure and impaired health, and people exposed to severe stress or burnout are also at least five times as likely to show signs of depression.

Over the past 15 years, the use of medical services for mental health issues has increased, the data showed. About 6% of the population suffer from depression, particularly younger people and women.

Women also more readily seek treatment and take anti-depressants. One in ten women in Switzerland has been treated for depression, the survey showed.

According to new statistical data, almost two-thirds of the population wear glasses or contact lenses and more than half of younger people have had their teeth straightened – both optical aids and braces are particularly common with people who have a higher level of education.