Global Mental Disorders Rise Sharply, Nearly 1.2 Billion Affected: Study

Mental health disorders are rising at an alarming pace globally, with a new study published in The Lancet revealing that nearly 1.2 billion people were living with mental disorders in 2023 — a staggering 95.5% increase since 1990. Anxiety and depression recorded the sharpest rise, increasing by 158% and 131% respectively, making them the most common mental health conditions worldwide. The study, based on data from the Global Burden of Diseases project covering 204 countries, warned that the world may be entering an even more concerning phase of worsening mental health burden. Researchers also found that mental disorders are increasingly affecting younger age groups, especially adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 19 years.

Experts said the COVID-19 pandemic further intensified the crisis, with depression rates remaining above pre-pandemic levels and anxiety continuing to stay high through 2023. Factors such as economic instability, social isolation, conflict, climate stress, discrimination, trauma and lack of affordable healthcare are believed to be driving the rise. The report also highlighted that mental health services have failed to expand proportionately despite the growing burden. Researchers stressed the urgent need for stronger public health policies, better access to mental healthcare, and greater global investment in mental health support systems.

REFERENCE: Santomauro D, Miller P, Shadid J et al.; Updated trends in the global prevalence and burden of mental disorders, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023; The Lancet; DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00519-2