More than 1bn people are living with mental health disorders according to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO). These people are living with conditions such as anxiety and depression inflicting immense human and economic tolls.
The new findings published in two reports of the world organisation – World mental health today and Mental Health Atlas 2024 reveal that while many countries have bolstered their mental health policies and programmes, greater investment and action are needed globally to scale up services to protect and promote people’s mental health.
The reports stated that mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are highly prevalent in all countries and communities, affecting people of all ages and income levels. They represent the second biggest reason for long-term disability, contributing to loss of healthy life. They drive up health-care costs for affected people and families while inflicting substantial economic losses on a global scale.
The new findings also highlight some areas of progress while exposing significant gaps in addressing mental health conditions worldwide. The reports serve as critical tools to inform national strategies and shape global dialogue ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases and promotion of mental health and well-being taking place in New York on 25 September 2025.
WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Transforming mental health services is one of the most pressing public health challenges. Investing in mental health means investing in people, communities, and economies – an investment no country can afford to neglect. Every government and every leader has a responsibility to act with urgency and to ensure that mental health care is treated not as a privilege, but as a basic right for all.”
The report shows that while prevalence of mental health disorders can vary by sex, women are disproportionately impacted overall. Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common types of mental health disorders among both men and women.
The economic impact of mental health disorders is staggering. While health-care costs are substantial, the indirect costs – particularly in lost productivity – are far greater. Depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy an estimated $1tn each year.
These findings underscore the urgent need for sustained investment, stronger prioritization, and multi-sectoral collaboration to expand access to mental health care, reduce stigma, and tackle the root causes of mental health conditions.