According to a large-scale study published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet<\/i>, nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide are living with a mental health issue, a figure that has almost doubled compared to 1990 data. As a result, mental health conditions have become the leading cause of disability globally, surpassing even diseases such as cardiovascular pathologies, oncology, and musculoskeletal disorders.<\/p>\n
The study was conducted by scientists at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in collaboration with the University of Queensland. They analyzed the prevalence of 12 different types of mental disorders across 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2023.<\/p>\n
The research demonstrated that the increase in the overall share of mental health issues was primarily driven by anxiety disorders and clinical depression. Since 2019, cases of depression have risen by approximately 24%, while the rate of anxiety disorders has surged by more than 47%. Both issues reached their peak in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
Scientists explain that this trend is influenced by both long-term pandemic-related stress and structural issues: poverty, unstable environments, violence, and the weakening of social connections.<\/p>\n
According to the data, the heaviest burden of mental health conditions falls on adolescents aged 15 to 19 and women. The nature of mental health challenges shifts sharply during adolescence. While autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more prevalent among boys in early childhood, anxiety and depression take the leading positions during adolescence. Scientists emphasize that this is a critical age threshold, as it lays the foundation for an adolescent’s future.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the study indicates a clear gender disparity: as of 2023, 620 million women worldwide were living with mental health issues, compared to 552 million men. Researchers link this imbalance to complex social factors, including domestic and sexual violence, increased household responsibilities, and gender discrimination.<\/p>\n
The rate of mental health conditions has risen across all regions of the world. Interestingly, the highest rates were recorded in high-income countries (such as the Netherlands, Portugal, and Australia), as well as in Western Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia.<\/p>\n
The study highlights a massive failure in healthcare systems: globally, only 9% of patients with clinical depression receive minimally adequate treatment. In 90 countries, this figure drops below 5%. Access to treatment exceeds 30% only in a few highly developed nations (such as Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands).<\/p>\n
The scientists conclude that addressing this global crisis requires increased investment in mental health systems and the expansion of access to medical services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.<\/p>\n