Mental illnesses have already surpassed cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
There are 1.2 billion mentally ill people in the world - since 1990, the number of individuals diagnosed with at least one such disorder has nearly doubled by 2023, according to a new study published by the scientific journal Lancet. According to this data, mental illnesses have become the most common cause of health problems, surpassing cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Researchers analyzed data from both sexes across 25 age groups, 21 regions, and 204 countries and territories - the largest coverage in history. Women and young people aged 15 to 19 were found to be significantly more susceptible to mental health issues. The most common diagnoses were anxiety disorders (a 47% increase since 2019) and severe depression (a 24% increase) - the peak of diagnosis increases occurred in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The analysis also shows that worldwide, only about 9% of people with severe depression receive minimally adequate treatment. In 90 countries, this figure is less than 5%, and only in a few high-income countries, such as Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands, does treatment reach more than 30% of those in need, writes Deutsche Welle.
