Global Mental Health Report: One in Seven People Experiences Mental Health Issues
According to the latest WHO report, 1.2 billion people worldwide struggle with mental health issues, while the annual cost of the crisis to the economy reaches 1 trillion dollars.
According to a report published by the World Health Organization on the occasion of October 10 World Mental Health Day, approximately one in seven people worldwide suffers from impaired mental health. Mental health issues affecting nearly 1.2 billion people constitute a major public health crisis globally.
Global Mental Health Overview
According to a comprehensive report published by the World Health Organization, approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide struggle with mental health issues, and one in seven people has impaired mental health.
While the insufficiency of resources allocated to mental health services makes it difficult for millions of people to access treatment, this situation has become a significant public health problem on a global scale.
Anxiety Disorder and Depression Data
According to the data shared in the report, 470 million people worldwide experience anxiety disorders, while 322 million people struggle with depression.
Children and adolescents account for 72 million of those with anxiety disorders and 43 million of those diagnosed with depression.
Youth Suicide and Risk Factors
Approximately 727,000 people lose their lives to suicide worldwide each year, and taking one's own life stands out as the third most common cause of death among the 15 to 29 age group.
Noting that 73 percent of cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, the report draws attention to the fact that poverty, violence, social isolation, and lack of access to psychological support increase the risk.
Economic Cost and Budget Inadequacy
It is calculated that the loss of labor and productivity caused by mental health issues costs the global economy 1 trillion dollars annually.
Despite this massive scale of mental health issues, the share that governments allocate to this field from their health budgets remains at a very low level, averaging around 2 percent.
Only one-third of individuals experiencing depression are able to access formal treatment services.
Digital Addiction and Social Media
Based on data from a WHO study conducted with 280,000 young people across 44 countries, problematic social media use rose from 7 percent to 11 percent over a four-year period.
The report clearly states that 12 percent of young people also carry the risk of video game addiction.
Artificial Intelligence and the Risk of Loneliness
The report warned that individuals attempting to fill their emotional voids with artificial intelligence chatbots instead of communicating face-to-face with their families deepens loneliness even further.