More than one billion people worldwide are now living with mental health disorders, according to new figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO). Conditions such as anxiety and depression are widespread, affecting all communities and age groups, and are a major contributor to disability, rising health costs, and lost productivity. The WHO is calling for urgent investment to expand services, warning that mental health must be treated as a fundamental right rather than a privilege.
The organisation’s latest reports – World Mental Health Today and the Mental Health Atlas 2024 – highlight both progress and persistent shortcomings. While many governments have strengthened policies and introduced community-based programmes, spending has stagnated at just 2% of health budgets worldwide. Huge inequalities remain, with high-income nations spending up to $65 per person on mental health compared with only a few cents in poorer countries. Staffing shortages are also critical, particularly in low- and middle-income regions.
Suicide continues to pose a devastating challenge, with more than 700,000 lives lost in 2021. Current progress suggests the UN target of cutting suicide rates by one-third by 2030 will not be met. Depression and anxiety alone are estimated to cost the global economy over $1 trillion annually.
The WHO is urging governments to step up legal reforms, increase funding, and expand access to community-based care. It argues that scaling up mental health support would not only save lives but also strengthen societies and economies worldwide.
