A recent survey into the mental health state of EU citizens revealed that compared to four years ago when the Celtic Tiger was roaring loudly in Ireland people feel less happy.

However in comparison to their EU counterparts in other countries, Irish people are still more positive and upbeat during the worldwide recession.

The area where Irish people are most down in the dumps: their jobs.

The survey revealed that a third of people believe that their jobs are under threat.

Despite feeling gloomy Irish people have not turned to professionals for help in sorting out their negative feelings.

Only 12 percent of Irish people sought professional help in the past year- probably the most upsetting time of the recession.

Ironically enough this number is two percent less than four years ago when the word recession wasn’t in the Irish vocabulary.

Neither has the number of anti-depressant users risen. Only about 6 percent of Irish people were on anti depressants last year, less than the EU average.

The happiest group of Europeans; the Finns and Dutch.

The saddest folks are the Latvians, British and Lithuanians.

The survey also revealed that those who were the least saddest were men between the ages of 15 and 24. Also self employed people, managers, manual workers and people with decent earnings are happier.

Labour MEP Nessa Childers who chairs the European Parliament’s Mental Health Interest group said the survey was an important contribution to the debate on mental health.

"I cannot stress enough how important it is that those who are experiencing mental health difficulties speak openly and honestly about what they are experiencing and seek assistance if required," she said.

The issue of mental health will be discussed at a conference in Lisbon next month.