Over a Billion People Living with Mental Health Conditions (WHO)
Depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy an estimated US$ 1 trillion each year
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one billion people globally suffer from mental health disorders, including conditions such as anxiety and depression. On Tuesday, the organization urged for increased global investment and action aimed at expanding access to mental health protection and promotion services.
“Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are highly prevalent in all countries and communities, affecting people of all ages and income levels. They represent the second biggest reason for long-term disability, contributing to loss of healthy life,” stated the WHO in a press release.
These disorders also contribute to rising healthcare costs for affected individuals and families, resulting in substantial economic losses worldwide. The organization highlighted the necessity for “greater investment and action” on a global scale to enhance mental health services.
New findings released in two reports, “World Mental Health Today” and “Mental Health Atlas 2024,” indicate that while some progress has been made in specific areas, significant gaps persist in addressing mental health issues globally.
The World Mental Health Today report shows that while prevalence of mental health disorders can vary by sex, women are disproportionately impacted overall. Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common types of mental health disorders among both men and women.
Depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy an estimated US$ 1 trillion each year, according to the report.
The 2024 Mental Health Atlas reveals a concerning stagnation in mental health investment. “Median government spending on mental health remains at just 2% of total health budgets”, as stated in the report.
This report also highlights significant disparities between countries, while high-income countries spend up to US$ 65 per person on mental health, low-income countries spend as little as US$ 0.04. The global median number of mental health workers stands at 13 per 100 000 people, with extreme shortages in low- and middle-income countries.
These reports are vital for informing national strategies and guiding global discussions in advance of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being, scheduled for September 25 in New York.
“Transforming mental health services is one of the most pressing public health challenges,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in the statement.
He emphasized, “investing in mental health means investing in people, communities, and economies – an investment no country can afford to neglect.” He called upon every government and leader to take urgent action to ensure that mental health care is treated not as a privilege but as a basic right for all.
