Less 10 percent of mental health affected individuals receive care in low-income Countries

B ERIC ABUGA

More than one billion people are living with mental health disorders, according to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The data says conditions such as anxiety and depression continue to inflict immense human and economic tolls.

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 published in two reports “World mental health today” and “Mental Health Atlas 2024” highlight some areas of progress while exposing significant gaps in addressing mental health conditions worldwide.

“Transforming mental health services is one of the most pressing public health challenges,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Dr Tedros says that investing in mental health means investing in people, communities, and economies, an investment no country can afford to neglect.

“Every government and every leader have 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.

Suicide remains a devastating outcome, claiming an estimated 727 000 lives in 2021 alone. It is a leading cause of death among young people across all countries and socioeconomic contexts.

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.

Since 2020, countries have been making significant strides in strengthening their mental health policies and planning. Many have updated their policies, adopted rights-based approaches, and enhanced preparedness for mental health and psychosocial support during health emergencies.

However, this momentum has not translated into legal reform. Fewer countries have adopted or enforced rights-based mental health legislation, and only 45 percent of countries evaluated laws in full compliance with international human rights standards.

The report reveals a concerning stagnation in mental health investment. Median government spending on mental health remains at just two percent of total health budgets unchanged since 2017.

Reform and development of mental health services is progressing slowly. Fewer than 10 percent of countries have fully transitioned to community-based care models, with most countries still in the early stages of transition.

Inpatient care continues to rely heavily on psychiatric hospitals, with nearly half of admissions occurring involuntarily and over 20 percent lasting longer than a year.

Integration of mental health into primary care is advancing, with 71 percent of countries meeting at least three of five WHO criteria. However, data gaps remain; only 22 countries provided sufficient data to estimate service coverage for psychosis.

In low-income countries fewer than 10 percent of affected individuals receive care, compared to over 50 percent in higher-income nations highlighting an urgent need to expand access and strengthen service delivery.