Mental health conditions affect 1.2 billion people globally
CNN • • health
Key Points:
- Nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide had mental disorders in 2023, marking a 95.5% increase since 1990, with anxiety and depression showing the largest rises at 158% and 131% respectively.
- The study published in The Lancet analyzed 12 mental disorders across 204 countries, highlighting that mental health burdens are worsening globally, especially among females and individuals aged 15 to 39, with a notable peak in the 15-19 age group for the first time.
- The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health issues, causing sustained high levels of anxiety and depression that have not returned to pre-pandemic rates.
- Despite the rising prevalence of mental disorders, expansion of mental health services has not kept pace, underscoring the need for improved access to care and global leadership to address underlying risk factors.
- Experts recommend seeking professional help, improving lifestyle factors, and utilizing available helplines and resources worldwide to support mental health, particularly for vulnerable populations.