Mental Health and Social Progress: A Call to Action

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 billion people live with mental health disorders, with conditions like anxiety and depression inflicting immense human and economic tolls. Though several countries have fortified their mental health policies and programmes, greater investment and action are needed globally to protect and uphold people’s mental health.

New reports from the WHO highlight the urgent need for a systemic transformation of mental health care worldwide, revealing significant disparities in access and investment despite some areas of progress. The findings from the World mental health today and Mental Health Atlas 2024 publications will serve as crucial tools for global discussions ahead of the 2025 United Nations High-Level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases and promotion of mental health and well-being.

Mental health conditions affect people across all demographics and are the second-biggest reason for long-term disability globally. The economic impact is substantial, with depression and anxiety alone costing the global economy an estimated $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.

While countries have made strides in developing mental health policies and emergency preparedness since 2020, this momentum has not translated into widespread legal reform. A concerning stagnation in investment is also noted, with the median government spending on mental health holding at just 2% of total health budgets. This investment gap is particularly stark when comparing high-income countries, which may spend up to $65 per person, to low-income nations, where the figure can be as low as $0.04.

The reports also underscore critical shortages in the mental health workforce, with a global median of just 13 workers per 100,000 people. This shortage is especially acute in low- and middle-income countries.

In terms of care models, progress is slow. Less than 10% of countries have fully transitioned to community-based care, with psychiatric hospitals still being the primary setting for inpatient treatment. Furthermore, suicide remains a devastating outcome, and current efforts are not on track to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal of a one-third reduction in suicide rates by 2030.

Despite these challenges, some positive trends were observed. Most countries now have functional mental health promotion initiatives, such as school-based programs and suicide prevention efforts. The availability of outpatient and telehealth services is increasing, and over 80% of countries now offer mental health and psychosocial support during emergencies, a significant increase from 39% in 2020.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that investing in mental health is an investment in people, communities, and economies. The WHO is calling on governments and global partners to act swiftly by ensuring equitable financing, implementing legal and policy reforms, investing in the workforce, and expanding community-based, person-centered care.

For the full article, please visit the WHO site.