More than one billion people live with mental health disorders, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). Conditions such as anxiety and depression affect all types of people and communities, and although many countries have promoted to promote mental health, greater investment and action worldwide remain necessary to expand services and protect people.
It is the warning that the organization launches to governments and entities, and urgently urgently intensifies efforts for the systemic transformation of mental health systems worldwide. “Every government and every leader has the responsibility of acting urgently and ensuring that mental health care is not considered a privilege, but a fundamental right for all”, Commented Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, CEO of WHO.
It does so based on the research of the organization on mental health globally, which has collected in two reports: “World Mental Health today” and “Mental Health Atlas 2024”. Their data and conclusions will be addressed at the United Nations High Level Meeting of 2025 on Non -Transmissible Diseases that will take place in New York on September 25.
Mental health spending remains stagnant
Among other things, it is indicated that from the Coronavirus pandemic – the latest edition of the Mental Health Atlas was made with data of 2020 – the policies and mental health planning have been strengthened. However, there is a worrying stagnation in the investment in mental health.
Average public health spending is 2% of the total health budget
The resources available for the provision of mental health services have not increased since the last survey. Average public spending is maintained in just 2% of the total health budget, as in 2017 and 2020, and specialists available to citizens are also scarce: the world medium -sized mental health professionals is located at 13 per 100,000 people.
The differences between low and high income countries in both cases are marked. This is especially observed in mental health spending per inhabitant. While countries with high income spend up to $ 65 per person, low -income countries spend only $ 0.04.
Specifically, the governments of the WHO European region spent $ 51.76 per capita on mental health in 2024, a figure much higher than that of any other region in the world. The least spends is Africa, with $ 0.07 per head. European countries also allocate a greater proportion of their general budget to mental well -being, with 4.5%, compared to the world median of 2.1%.
However, four out of five countries surveyed report that care and mental health treatment are included in some public health or financial protection service. This implies that in at least half of the participating countries, the costs of hospitalization, outpatient care and medication represent a low economic burden for patients (less than 5% of the cost). But in some countries, people must cover most or all the costs of their attention (more than 50% of the cost).
With regard to services offered, 63% of the countries surveyed indicated that Telesalud services are available and used. However, there are differences by regions: only 26% of WHO African countries provide this option, compared to 83% of European markets.
Also, almost 90% of countries reported that people with mental disorders receive some type of social support, such as disability or economic assistance payments. In addition, 65% of the countries reported having a disaster risk preparation and management system that includes psychosocial and mental health support, observing an increase of 20% compared to 2020.
Anxiety, the most common mental health problem
WHO considers that the data show the urgent need for a sustained investment, a stronger prioritization and greater multisectoral collaboration to expand access to mental health care. He warns that mental health systems, which have large gaps and imbalances in terms of resources, services, information, research and governance, are not enough to attend and protect the more than one billion people who live with some mental disorder, according to data from 2021. This is 1 in 7 people on the planet.
According to the organization’s data, the prevalence – proportion of cases of a disease over a period of time, with respect to the existing population – of mental disorders has increased since 2001. The highest increases have been recorded in America (from 15.3% of 2001 to 17.1% of 2021) and Europe (from 14% to 15.4%).
Mental health disorders are more common in women (14.8%), than in men (13%), anxiety and depression being the most common. For its part, suicide represents one of the main causes of death among young people. Globally, suicide is the cause of more than 1 in 100 deaths, and for each death due to suicide it is estimated that there are 20 attempts to end one’s life.
The economic consequences of mental health
WHO also warns of economic costs associated with poor mental health. Beyond those related to the health system or those assumed by homes for treatments, those linked to productivity and, therefore, business performance must also be considered.
Absenteeism, presentism or rotation are situations derived from mental health problems
Along these lines, according to the organization’s reports, it is estimated that 12,000 million productive working days are lost every year due to depression and anxiety, with a cost of one billion dollars. The figure considers consequences of poor mental health as absenteeism, presentism – people attend work but pay below the usual – and personnel rotation.
And it is that emotional well -being problems can lead to inability to properly develop work, often during prolonged periods. In a macro vision, this can lead to broader social costs, such as the increase in unemployment, the need for social aid or the reduction of consumption or tax revenues.
For all these reasons, from the World Health Organization, they urge governments, partners and organizations to promote or enhance measures that favor mental health care and assistance. Among them:
- The equitable financing of mental health services
- Legal and political reform to defend human rights
- Sustained investment in mental health personnel
- The expansion of community care and person centered
“Transforming mental health services is one of the most urgent challenges for public health”, Said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, CEO of WHO.”Investing in mental health means investing in people, communities and economies; an investment that no country can afford to neglect“
More info.: World Mental Health today and mental health atlas 2024
