Action Needed: Over a Billion Living with Mental Health Conditions

Over one billion people worldwide live with mental health conditions, yet most lack access to adequate care, according to new WHO reports. PHOTO: Ryan

More than one billion people globally are living with mental health conditions, according to new data from the World Health Organization (WHO). Anxiety, depression and related disorders are affecting people across all ages, income levels and regions, placing growing pressure on health systems and economies. While some countries have taken steps to strengthen mental health services, there is still a long way to go. Increased investment and stronger, more inclusive systems are urgently needed.

On 2 September 2025, WHO released two major reports: World Mental Health Today and the Mental Health Atlas 2024, alongside updated suicide estimates. Together, the findings highlight both progress, persistent gaps and the scale of the challenge ahead.

The Global Mental Health Landscape

The World Mental Health Today report shows that over one billion people live with a mental health condition, yet most do not receive adequate care. The report reveals that mental health conditions are among the leading causes of disability globally and impose high costs on households, employers and national economies. It also highlights persistent shortages of financial resources, skilled workers, and quality services, which continue to leave many countries unable to meet the needs of their populations.

WHO’s updated suicide estimates reveal that 727 000 people died by suicide in 2021, and that suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young people. The report notes that suicide is the second leading cause of death for young women aged 15 to 29, and the third for young men in the same age group. It also states that the majority of these deaths, 73%, occur in low and middle-income countries, with more than half affecting people under the age of 50.

Despite greater awareness, current progress is falling short. The global goal to reduce suicide by one third by 2030 is off-track, with projections pointing to a reduction of just 12% if things continue at the current pace.

The World Mental Health Today report further notes that women remain disproportionately affected by mental health conditions and states that anxiety and depression are the most common disorders globally. While healthcare costs are considerable, the report highlights that indirect costs, particularly those linked to lost productivity, are even higher. WHO estimates that depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy 1 trillion US dollars each year.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, says the World Mental Health Today report offers a comprehensive basis for discussions on actions to improve mental health around the world. “It reminds us that mental health is not a peripheral issue but central to improving health and well-being globally and to achieving universal health coverage and other Sustainable Development Goals,” he says.

WHO’s latest data shows suicide is the second leading cause of death for young women and third for young men aged 15 to 29, with 73% of cases in low and middle-income countries. PHOTO: Cottonbro Studio

System Strengths and Weaknesses

The second report, the Mental Health Atlas 2024, takes a close look at how national systems are organized to address mental health needs, focusing on planning, financing, legislation, workforce and service delivery. While the report notes some progress in recent years, particularly in emergency preparedness, most countries still face critical barriers to providing effective care.

According to the report, only 45% of countries have mental health laws that fully align with international human rights standards. It states that mental health spending has remained unchanged since 2017, at just 2% of total health budgets. The report also highlights significant funding disparities, with high-income countries spending up to 65 US dollars per person on mental health, while low-income countries invest as little as 4 cents.

Globally, there are just 13 mental health workers for every 100,000 people. The Mental Health Atlas 2024 report reveals that in low-income settings, fewer than 10% of people with severe mental health conditions receive care, compared to over 50% in high-income countries. It also notes that community-based services remain rare, with most systems still heavily reliant on psychiatric hospitals. Nearly half of inpatient admissions are involuntary and over 20% last longer than a year.

The report further highlights significant data gaps, noting that only 22 countries provided sufficient information to assess service coverage for psychosis, which limits effective planning.

Signs of Momentum

There is good news. According to the Mental Health Atlas 2024 report, more than 80% of countries now offer mental health and psychosocial support during emergencies, up from 39% in 2020. Mental health promotion is becoming more embedded, with school-based programmes, public awareness campaigns and suicide prevention strategies gaining traction globally.

The report notes that mental health is increasingly integrated into primary healthcare systems, with 71% of countries now meeting at least three of WHO’s five integration criteria. Access to telehealth and outpatient services is improving in many regions, although disparities remain.These developments show that when governments prioritise mental health, real progress is possible. But meaningful change will require deeper reform and long-term commitment.

Despite progress, mental health systems face critical shortages in funding, workforce and community-based services globally. PHOTO: DS Stories

Looking Ahead

With the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health set for 25 September, WHO is urging governments and partners to raise their ambition and commit to lasting solutions.

WHO’s roadmap focuses on four priorities: • Increased and equitable investment in mental health • Legal and policy reform grounded in international human rights • A stronger, better-trained mental health workforce • A shift toward person-centred, community-based care

“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,” says Dr Tedros.

Where We Go From Here

Mental health is a human right and global systems need to reflect that reality. With over one billion people affected, mental health should no longer be treated as optional, secondary or siloed.

The Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan offers a roadmap for change. What comes next depends on political will, bold investment and sustained collaboration across sectors. Every country has a role to play in building fair, inclusive systems that put people first. The time to act is now — the health and wellbeing of billions depend on it.