Stories of Change, Proof of Impact

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1. Prevalence of mental disorders

Globally, 970 million people—1 in 8 individuals—live with a mental health condition. The most common disorders include:

  • Anxiety disorders – 301 million people
  • Depression – 280 million people
  • Bipolar disorder – 40 million people
  • Schizophrenia – 24 million people
  • Eating disorders – 14 million people
  • Substance use disorders - 39 million people, with alcohol
    • dependence being a major concern.

    Women are 50% more likely to experience anxiety and depression, whereas men are more prone to substance abuse and suicide. (Source: WHO, 2022)

    2. Mental health and suicide crisis

  • Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death among individuals aged 15–29.
  • Over 700,000 people die by suicide annually—one person every 40 seconds.
  • For every suicide, there are 20 attempts.
  • 77% of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries where mental health care is scarce.
  • LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. (Source: WHO, CDC, Trevor Project)

    • 3. Economic and workplace impact

    Mental health issues have significant economic repercussions:

  • $1 trillion is lost annually due to anxiety and depression, mainly from reduced productivity.
  • 12 billion workdays are lost yearly due to mental health conditions.
  • 76% of workers reported experiencing at least one symptom of burnout in 2022.
  • Only 50% of employees feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns at work.
  • Every $1 invested in mental health treatment yields a $4 return in productivity and improved well-being. (Source: WHO, Harvard Business Review, Deloitte)

    • 4. Youth and adolescent mental health

  • 50% of mental disorders begin before age 14, but most go undiagnosed. .
  • 75% of mental health conditions emerge before age 24.
  • 1 in 5 teenagers globally experiences depression before adulthood.
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people aged 15-24.
  • Heavy social media use is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression, with teen girls spending 5+ hours daily on social media being three times more likely to experience depression. (Source: WHO, CDC, UNICEF, JAMA)

    • 5. The mental health treatment gap

  • Over 75% of individuals with mental health conditions in low-income countries receive no treatment.
  • The global median number of mental health workers is 13 per 100,000 people:
    1. High-income countries: 60 per 100,000
    2. Low-income countries: <2 per 100,000
  • Some African nations have fewer than 1 psychiatrist per million people.
  • 1 in 3 people with severe depression do not receive proper care, even in high-income countries.
  • Mental health budgets account for less than 2% of total health spending in most nations. (Source: WHO, Lancet, World Bank)

    • 6. COVID-19’s impact on mental health

  • The pandemic caused a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide.
  • Frontline healthcare workers had:
    1. 1.5x higher risk of depression
    2. 1.6x higher risk of anxiety
    3. 2x higher likelihood of PTSD
  • Lockdowns and isolation led to:
    1. 35% increase in loneliness
    2. 50% increase in substance abuse
    3. 25% rise in domestic violence cases
  • Mental health hotline calls rose by 300% in some countries. (Source: WHO, CDC, JAMA Psychiatry, Nature)

    • 7. Mental health disparities across demographics

  • Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression, yet men account for 75% of suicides.
  • Postpartum depression affects 10-20% of mothers but often goes undiagnosed.
  • Black and Hispanic adults in the U.S. are 50% less likely to receive mental health treatment than white adults.
  • Indigenous populations in Canada, Australia, and the U.S. face higher suicide rates.
  • 40% of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered suicide, and transgender individuals have a 4-5 times higher risk of suicide attempts. (Source: CDC, WHO, Trevor Project, APA)

    • 8. Solutions and the way forward

    To address the mental health crisis, the following actions are crucial:

    1. Increase Funding – Mental health budgets must be doubled to bridge treatment gaps. .
    2. Expand Access to Care – More therapy services, crisis hotlines, and online platforms are needed.
    3. Improve Workplace Mental Health – Employers must implement better support systems for employees.
    4. Enhance Mental Health in Schools – School-based mental health programs can support young individuals.
    5. Reduce Stigma – Public awareness campaigns should encourage help-seeking behavior.
    6. Tele-therapy and AI Innovations – Digital therapy solutions like AI-powered mental health apps (e.g., Wysa, Woebot) offer accessible support.
    7. Research and Alternative Therapies – Psychedelic-assisted therapy (e.g., psilocybin, ketamine) is showing promise for severe depression.
    8. National Mental Health Programs – Countries like Finland and New Zealand are investing in comprehensive mental health strategies. (Source: WHO, Harvard Medical School, NIMH, McKinsey)