The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today that over one billion people worldwide suffer from mental disorders, highlighting the urgent need to expand mental health services.
The UN agency warned that these mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, have become the second leading cause of long-term disability, contributing to a loss of quality of life and incurring significant economic losses globally.
New findings released in two reports titled “Mental Health in Today’s World” and “Atlas of Mental Health 2024” highlight some areas of progress, while simultaneously revealing significant gaps in addressing mental disorders.
The organization pointed out ongoing weaknesses in funding and access to care services. In low-income countries, less than 10% of affected individuals receive care, compared to over 50% in high-income countries.
In light of this alarming situation, the organization urges countries to increase investments and take swift, decisive action. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that “transforming mental health services is one of the most urgent challenges facing public health.”
He added, “Investing in mental health means investing in people, communities, and economies—an investment no country can afford to ignore.”
According to the organization, suicide remains one of the devastating effects of certain mental disorders. Estimates show that suicide alone claimed 727,000 lives in 2021, making it a leading cause of death among young people in all countries and socio-economic contexts.
Despite global efforts, progress in reducing suicide mortality is minimal and insufficient to meet the United Nations’ sustainable development goal of reducing suicide rates by one-third by 2030. The organization estimates that this rate will only decrease by 12% in five years based on the current trajectory.
Moreover, the UN agency emphasized the significant economic impact of mental disorders, noting that despite rising healthcare costs, indirect costs, especially from lost productivity, are much greater.
The organization’s estimates suggest that depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy approximately $1 trillion annually.
The reports are expected to serve as crucial tools for enriching national strategies and shaping global dialogue ahead of the UN high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases and mental health and well-being, scheduled to take place in New York on September 25, 2023.
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