Arabic version: ارتفاع حالات الصحة النفسية العالمية إلى ما يقرب من 1.2 مليار
New research reveals that the number of individuals living with mental disorders worldwide has almost doubled since 1990, now affecting nearly 1.2 billion people. This significant surge highlights a growing global mental health crisis, with mental disorders accounting for over 17 percent of all disability worldwide, according to a report published this week.
The peer-reviewed study conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and the University of Queensland indicates that in 1990, there were an estimated 599 million cases of mental health disorders. By 2023, this number had escalated to an estimated 1.17 billion. Anxiety and major depressive disorders emerged as the most prevalent conditions, with anxiety cases increasing from 182 million to 470 million, and major depressive disorders rising from 102 million to 236 million during the same period.
According to ABC News, researchers attribute the rising trends to various factors, including the lingering effects of pandemic-related stress and long-term issues like poverty and declining social connectedness. The study emphasizes the urgent need for sustained investment in mental health systems and expanded access to care to address this escalating challenge.
The report also highlights that mental disorders were the fifth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally in 2023, a significant rise from 12th place in 1990, resulting in a total of 171 million lost years of life. The findings indicate that the burden of mental disorders is not evenly distributed, with young people and women being disproportionately affected. Approximately 620 million women were reported to be living with a mental disorder in 2023, compared to 552 million men.
Overall, the study underscores the critical need for global action to promote mental well-being and improve outcomes across various demographics, particularly among vulnerable populations. The alarming trends in mental health highlight the necessity for early intervention and prevention strategies to support individuals as they transition into adulthood.
