More than 1 billion people are living with mental health disorders globally, according to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is urging governments to urgently scale up mental health services.
The findings, published in the World Mental Health Today and Mental Health Atlas 2024 reports, show that mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are now among the leading causes of disability and economic loss worldwide.
Despite some progress since 2020 in updating policies and expanding services, the WHO warns that current investment and reform levels are insufficient to meet global targets. The data has been released in advance of the 2025 United Nations High-Level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases and mental health, scheduled for September 25 in New York.
High Prevalence and Economic Costs
Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, are widespread across all age groups and income levels. These conditions now represent the second largest cause of long-term disability globally. Suicide remains a critical concern, claiming an estimated 727,000 lives in 2021 and ranking among the leading causes of death for young people worldwide.
The economic impact is significant, with depression and anxiety alone costing the global economy an estimated US$1 trillion annually. Indirect costs such as lost productivity far exceed direct health-care expenditures, compounding the burden on individuals and national systems.
Policy Progress Uneven
The Mental Health Atlas 2024 notes that many countries have updated mental health strategies and increased attention to psychosocial support in emergencies. However, progress on legal and systemic reform has stalled. Only 45% of countries report mental health laws fully aligned with international human rights standards.
Spending on mental health remains limited, with a global median of just 2% of health budgets allocated to the sector — unchanged since 2017. Disparities are significant: high-income countries spend up to US$65 per person, while low-income countries invest as little as US$0.04. Workforce shortages also persist, with a global median of only 13 mental health workers per 100,000 people.
Services Lagging Behind Demand
WHO data show that fewer than 10% of countries have fully transitioned to community-based care, with most still reliant on psychiatric hospitals. Nearly half of inpatient admissions occur involuntarily, and more than 20% extend beyond one year. Integration of mental health into primary care has improved, but data gaps remain. Only 22 countries provided enough information to estimate service coverage for psychosis.
Access to care varies widely: fewer than 10% of people with psychosis in low-income countries receive services, compared to over 50% in high-income countries. While telehealth and outpatient services are becoming more common, geographic and economic barriers continue to limit availability.
Despite challenges, over 80% of countries now include mental health and psychosocial support in emergency responses, up from 39% in 2020. National programmes for suicide prevention, early childhood development, and school-based mental health have also expanded.
“Transforming mental health services is one of the most pressing public health challenges,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“Investing in mental health means investing in people, communities, and economies – an investment no country can afford to neglect.”
The WHO is calling on all governments and international partners to urgently intensify reform efforts. Key recommendations include equitable financing, legal protections aligned with human rights, workforce investment, and a shift toward community-based, person-centered care.
