Mental disorders now cause more harm to humanity than cardiovascular disease and cancer. More than 1 billion people in the world have a diagnosed mental disorder, but one in two receives no help.
Basic context
Mental disorders have become a leading global health problem, outstripping cardiovascular diseases and cancer in terms of harm to humanity. More than 1 billion people on the planet have diagnosed mental disorders. Of these, one in two does not receive medical or psychological care, which indicates a large-scale problem in access to treatment.
Most mental disorders begin in adolescence, around the age of 14. However, only 77 out of 144 countries surveyed have targeted programmes to support young people, creating gaps in prevention and early intervention. Read more in the study thelancet.com.
Risk groups and morbidity trends
Women, as well as adolescents and young people aged 15 to 19, are most affected by mental health problems. These groups require special attention in the development of health policies.
After the pandemic COVID-19 there was a real explosion in the incidence of mental disorders. Anxiety disorders increased by 47% compared to 2019, and cases of severe depression increased by 24%. This indicates the long-term effects of the pandemic on the mental health of the population.
Implications for society and global challenges
The huge number of people living with mental disorders without help threatens social stability and economic development. Lack of support leads to a poorer quality of life, reduced productivity and increased burden on healthcare systems.
The global trend of rising mental illness requires increased investment in prevention, early diagnosis and access to quality psychological care. Particular attention should be paid to young people, who are the most vulnerable group.
Addressing these issues will be a key challenge for healthcare systems in the coming years, as mental health affects all areas of society.
