Good mental health is related to mental and psychological well-being. WHO’s work to improve the mental health of individuals and society at large includes the promotion of mental well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, the protection of human rights and the care of people affected by mental disorders. WHO
- Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders make up to 10% of the global burden of disease and 30% of non-fatal disease burden.
- Around 1 in 9 people in settings affected by conflict have a moderate or severe mental disorder.
- Around 1 in 5 of the world’s children and adolescents has a mental disorder.
- About half of the mental disorders begin before the age of 14.
- Depression is one of the leading causes of disability, affecting 264 million people.
- Almost 800,000 people die by suicide every year; 1 person dies from suicide every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 15-29 years.
- People with severe mental disorders die 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population.
- Rates of mental health workers vary from below 2 per 100000 population in low-income countries to over 70 per 100000 in high-income countries
- Less than half of the 139 countries that have mental health policies and plans report having these aligned with human rights conventions.
- The global economy losses about US$ 1 trillion per year in productivity due to depression and anxiety