Disorders such as anxiety and depression are demanding great cost in people, families and economies, however, most countries do not provide adequate support.
Mental health problems are widespread in all societies and age groups and remain the second main cause of long -term disability. They promote medical care costs for families and governments while costing the global economy approximately $ 1 billion every year in loss of productivity, UN health experts said.
Road off the track
The findings are detailed in two new reports: World mental health today and the Mental health atlas 2024.
Together, they show that, although there have been some progress since 2020, the world is still very far to address the scale of the crisis. Reports will help inform the debate at a UN high -level meeting on non -communicable diseases and mental health, which will be held at the end of this month in New York.
“Transforming mental health services is one of the most pressing public health challenges“Said the general director of Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“Investing in mental health means investing in people, communities and economiesAn investment that no country can afford to neglect. Each leader has the responsibility of acting urgently and ensuring that mental health care is treated not as a privilege, but as a basic right. “
Worrying gaps, unequal progress
The reports highlight several Stark findings:
- Women look disproportionately affected by mental health conditions, with the most common anxiety and depression between both sexes.
- Suicide affirmed approximately 727,000 lives in 2021 and is a main cause of death among young people. In current trends, the world will remain far from the UN target to reduce suicide deaths by a third by 2030, handling only a 12 percent reduction.
- The average expense of the Government in Mental Health remains only two percent of health budgets, without changes since 2017 (while high -income countries spend up to $ 65 per person in mental health, low -income countries spend as little as four cents.
- The mental health workforce is dangerously thin in many regions. There are only 13 mental health workers per 100,000 people worldwide.
- Less than one in 10 countries have completely moved to community care, and most still depend largely on psychiatric hospitals. Almost half of hospital admissions are involuntary, and more than one in five patients remain hospitalized for more than a year.
Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments. More countries are integrating mental health into primary medical care and expanding early intervention programs in schools and communities.
More than 80 percent of countries now include mental health and psychosocial support in emergency response, compared to less than 40 percent in 2020. Telesalud services are also increasingly available, although access is still unequal.
Call a systemic change
Who urges governments to intensify investment and reform, warning that the current rhythm of progress is too slow to meet global objectives. Key priorities include:
- Baser financing of mental health services
- Stronger legal protection and rights -based legislation
- Greater investment in the mental health workforce
- Accelerated change towards community -centered care
The UN Health Agency emphasizes that Mental health should be treated as a fundamental human right. Without urgent actions, millions will continue to suffer without support, and societies will have growing social and economic costs.
For more information about how the UN is generally advocating for more resources to support mental health and well -being, Look at this story of our colleagues in www.un.org.
