WHO: Over 1 billion people worldwide suffer from mental health disorders

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new data indicating that more than 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and other psychological dysfunctions.

The organisation reports that in 2021, 400 million people over the age of 15 suffered from alcohol-related disorders, while in 2022, more than 64 million people experienced drug-use-related disorders. In 2021, nearly 57 million people had dementia, and over 24 million suffered from epilepsy, Caliber.Az reports, citing the WHO website.

WHO identifies anxiety and depressive disorders as the most common mental health conditions, accounting for more than two-thirds of all mental disorders in 2021. These conditions most frequently affect people aged 20–29. The report notes that between 2011 and 2021, the number of people with mental disorders grew faster than the world population.

The organisation also highlights suicide as a “leading cause of death among young people” in all countries, regardless of socio-economic status. In 2021, suicide claimed 727,000 lives.

The WHO report states that current efforts to reduce suicide rates are insufficient. If current trends continue, the global suicide rate is expected to drop by only 12% by 2030, rather than the one-third reduction targeted by the UN.

According to the organisation, the prevalence of mental disorders results in the loss of 12 billion productive workdays annually, costing the global economy roughly $1 trillion per year. Yet, only 9% of people with depression receive quality treatment, and 71% of people with psychosis do not receive any medical care at all.

By Khagan Isayev