WHO’s World Mental Health Report:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released two key reports World Mental Health Today and Mental Health Atlas 2024, the reports reveal that over a billion people globally live with mental health conditions and that suicide accounts for 1 in 100 deaths.
Key Findings of WHO’s Reports on World Mental Health:
- 13.6% of the world’s population currently has a mental disorder (age-standardized prevalence). Prevalence has risen faster than global population growth between 2011–2021.
- Anxiety and depressive disorders together account for over two-thirds of all cases.
- Anxiety disorders usually start earlier (childhood/adolescence), while depression becomes more common after 40 years and peaks between 50–69 years.
- Young adults (20–29 years) have seen the highest rise (1.8%) in the prevalence of mental disorders since 2011.
- Globally, males have higher rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, and intellectual disabilities.
- Females have higher rates of anxiety, depressive, and eating disorders.
- 1 in every 100 deaths globally is due to suicide. Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people worldwide.
- At the current pace, suicide mortality is projected to decline by only 12% by 2030, which falls far short of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of a one-third reduction.
