The figure revealed in the report is amazing, but all the more worrying given that it includes about one in seven teenagers. The detailed work provides a blueprint for governments, researchers, health professionals, civil society, and others who want to support the world in changing mental health.
“In 2019, nearly a billion people – including 14% of the world’s young people – suffered from a mental illness. Suicides accounted for more than 1/100 deaths and 58% of suicides occurred before the age of 50. Mental disorders are the leading cause of injury, affecting one in six people with disabilities. People , who have serious mental health problems, die on average 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population, mostly due to preventable physical illnesses, “the WHO report states.
According to the report, the sexual exploitation of childhood and the victimization of bullying are significant causes of depression. “Social and economic inequalities, public health emergencies, war and the climate crisis are global structural threats to mental health. Depression and anxiety increased by more than 25% in the first year of the pandemic alone.”
Stigma, discrimination, and human rights abuses against people with mental health problems are common throughout communities and care systems; 20 countries continue to criminalize the suicide attempt. In different countries, the poorest and most vulnerable in society are at greatest risk of developing mental health problems and receive the least adequate services.
According to the report, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, only a small proportion of people in need had access to effective, affordable and high-quality mental health care.
“For example, 71 percent of people with psychosis worldwide do not have access to mental health services. Although 70 percent of people with psychosis are reported in high-income countries, only 12 percent of people with psychosis receive mental health care in low-income countries. one – third of depressed people receive formal mental health care, and the minimum level of adequate treatment for depression is estimated to range from 23% in high – income countries to 3% in low – and middle – income countries, “the report said.
The WHO’s comprehensive report is based on the latest available evidence and calls on all stakeholders to work together to deepen the value and commitment to mental health, to modify environments that affect mental health, and to strengthen human health systems.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Everyone’s life affects someone with mental health problems. Good mental health means good physical health, and this new report is a compelling reason for change. The inextricable links between mental and public health, human rights and socio-economic development that changing mental health policies and practices can bring real, substantial benefits to individuals, communities and countries everywhere. Investing in mental health is an investment in a better life and future for all. “
All 194 WHO member states have signed the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030, which commits them to global goals to change mental health.
The WHO said the progress made over the past decade shows that change is possible. “But change isn’t happening fast enough, and the mental health story remains one of needs and neglect, as two of the three-dollar meager state mental health spending is allocated to independent psychiatric hospitals instead of community-based mental health services, people are best served.”
The report calls on all countries to speed up the implementation of the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030.
Source: ANI
Source: The Nordic Page