Today, we will talk about global mental health statistics. Mental illnesses are among the top 10 primary causes of health loss globally, with anxiety and depressive disorders regarded as the most onerous across all age groups and locales.
Global Mental Health Statistics
Over one billion individuals worldwide are
believed to be living with a mental condition, according to the latest global
mental health statistics figures from the World Health Organization (WHO).
These illnesses are a prominent cause of disability globally and have a
tremendous economic cost owing to lost productivity.
Definitions Of Global Mental Health Statistics
The information displayed here comes from the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) 2022
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Mental illnesses that meet the
diagnostic criteria outlined in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and are diagnosable now or
within the last year are included in NSDUH prevalence estimates; developmental
and substance use disorders are excluded.
- Any
Mental Illness
Any mental illness (AMI) is described as a
mental, behavioral, or emotional condition. AMI may vary in impact, ranging
from minimal impairment to mild, moderate, and even severe impairment (e.g.,
persons with major mental illness as outlined below).
- Serious
Mental Illness
Serious mental illness (SMI) is defined as a
mental, behavioral, or emotional problem resulting in serious functional
impairment, which considerably interferes with or limits one or more important
living activities.
The burden of mental diseases is
disproportionately concentrated among persons who experience impairment owing
to SMI.
Important Global Mental Health Statistics
- Prevalence: Approximately 1 in 7 individuals worldwide suffer from a mental illness. Roughly 15% of people worldwide suffered from a mental illness in 2023.
- Leading Causes of impairment: After back pain, mental problems are the second most common cause of long-term impairment and one of the top ten causes of health loss globally.
- Common illnesses: The most prevalent mental health illnesses worldwide and the most debilitating for all age groups are anxiety disorders, which impact around 301 million individuals, and depressive disorders, which affect about 280 million people.
- Youth Mental Health: Half of all mental problems start before the age of 14, and about 1 in 7 young individuals between the ages of 10 and 19 have a mental health disease.
- Suicide Rates: Over 700,000 deaths, or more than one in every 100 deaths, are caused by suicide each year, making it a significant global public health problem. It is the third most common cause of mortality for youths between the ages of 15 and 29.
- Gender Disparities: Women are almost 50% more likely than men to experience anxiety and depression, whereas men are more likely to suffer from drug use disorders.
- Economic Cost: The lost productivity resulting from depression and anxiety alone costs the global economy an estimated US$1 trillion per year.
The Treatment Gap
Despite good therapies available, most patients
do not have access to competent care.
- Significant Gap: Over 75% of persons in low- and middle-income nations do not obtain the essential treatment.
- Low Investment: Since 2017, nations have consistently allocated just 2% of their overall health spending to mental health.
- Workforce Shortages: There are substantial inequalities in mental health workers; low-income nations have as few as 1-2 mental health workers per 100,000 people, compared to over 67 per 100,000 in high-income countries.
Why it's important to know Statistics on Mental Health Worldwide
To advocate for resources, destigmatize
diseases, and comprehend the extensive impact on society, healthcare systems,
and the economy, you need to be aware of Global mental health statistics.
Here are particular reasons why this information
is important:
- To
Understand the Scale of the Problem:
Statistics suggest that mental health
difficulties are exceedingly frequent, impacting hundreds of millions of
individuals globally. This information aids in shifting the discourse from
considering mental illness as an uncommon exception to acknowledging it as a
significant public health issue that calls for a commensurate response.
- To
Challenge Stigma and Promote Open Dialogue:
Knowing the frequency of mental health issues
helps normalize the experience. When people understand they are not alone and
that these challenges are prevalent, it stimulates more open talks, eliminates
embarrassment, and inspires individuals to get assistance earlier.
- To
Promote Policy and Resource Changes:
Data is vital for effective lobbying. Statistics
can force governments and organizations to raise financing for prevention,
treatment, and support services by highlighting the substantial impact of
mental health problems on people, communities, and national economies
(including lost productivity and healthcare expenses).
- To
Determine Disparities and Inequities:
Statistics from throughout the world frequently
show how various nations, areas, and socioeconomic classes have differing
access to healthcare. This information is crucial for organizations like the
World Health Organization (WHO) to target treatments where they are needed most
and alleviate imbalances in healthcare delivery.
- To
Drive Research and Innovation:
Awareness of the present status of global mental
health pushes researchers to better understand causes, create new and more
effective therapies, and implement culturally relevant interventions across
varied populations.
- To
Promote Empathy and Personal Well-Being:
Knowing how common mental health issues are may
promote more empathy in interpersonal interactions, the workplace, and
communities. It enables people to understand the value of taking care of
themselves and helping those in their immediate vicinity who might be having
difficulties.
Global mental health statistics essentially turn
an often unseen personal problem into a measurable, collective issue that
necessitates a social response.
Who is most affected by mental health problems?
Anyone can encounter a mental health concern.
But we know that some populations are more prone to suffering from them than
others.
These include:
- LGBTQIA+ individuals. Research by Stonewall indicated that 61% of LGBT persons have experienced anxiety during the last year. Additionally, half (52%) reported having depression.
- People are facing poverty. Moreover, over 1 in 4 (26%) people living in the poorest regions in England report suffering a common mental health condition in any given week. This compares with about 1 in 6 (16%) of persons living in the least destitute neighborhoods.
- Individuals with physical ailments. A prevalent mental health issue impacts around one in three people who have a physical health condition that restricts their activities. In contrast, about 1 in 8 persons don't.
- It's critical to understand that a variety of factors might contribute to mental health issues. And they can be tricky. More details may be found on our page on the causes of mental health issues.
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