Area Of focus
Mental Health
Mental health conditions are growing globally but can often be prevented and treated with the right care. Yet, mental health spending is often the first to be cut in tight economic conditions.
Facts and figures
1B
people are living with a mental health disorder.
1 in 8
people are affected worldwide.
1 in 7
adolescents are affected globally.
1 in 5
people who have experienced conflict are affected.
75%
treatment gap estimated for youth in low and middle-income countries.
$1T
yearly cost to the global economy, projected to increase to $16 trillion by 2030.
12B
productive workdays are lost every year to depression and anxiety.
1%
of a country's GDP could be attributed to the burden of mental health conditions.
<1
mental health worker per 100,000 people in low- and middle-income countries.
2.1%
of government health expenditure is allocated to mental health.
0.5%
of philanthropic health spending goes to mental health.
WHO’s role in mental health
Shaper
The World Health Organization (WHO) shapes the health research agenda and convenes scientists and experts from all over the world, using its monitoring and assessment of global health data and trends.
Regulator
WHO sets norms and standards to ensure access to safe solutions to mental health, respectful of citizens’ rights and privacy.
Convener
WHO has the power to convene governments, leading NGOs, philanthropists, and private sector executives to discuss and adopt evidence-based policy options that improve health systems.
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