WHO Sheds Light on Emerging World Mental Health Crisis.

In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) published its latest statistics on a growing mental health crisis across the globe. Suicide is one of the major causes of death, and the rate of suicide is rising at a higher rate than the population. The reports World Mental Health Today and Mental Health Atlas 2024 reveal the insights key after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Suicide Trends

An estimated 727,000 individuals committed suicide in the world in 2021, equivalent to 1 in every 20 attempts. Among the youth in the world, suicide is the most common cause of death. The UN goal of reducing the rate of suicide by a third in 2030 appears to be an improbable target, as it is estimated that it will decline by 12 percent.

Prevalence of Mental Health Disorder.

Mental health conditions are experienced by more than one billion people, two-thirds of whom have anxiety and depression. The age-standardised prevalence increased to 13.6 between 2011 and 2021 with the largest change observed among the adults aged 20-29. The differences between genders are quite obvious: males have ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and intellectual disabilities more frequently, whereas females are more likely to have anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

Age and Gender Patterns

The fear disorder usually starts at an age of less than ten. Later on, depressive disorders develop and reach their peak in the age range of 50-69. Gender-specific pattern has an effect on the type and degree of mental illness.

The Problems of Mental Health Care.

Psychiatric infrastructure in many countries is limited, there is insufficient financing, and there is a lack of trained professionals. There is a lack of service especially in rural areas. Mental health facilities are in a deplorable state and face stigma, and the custodial care system must be substituted with treatment options.

Barriers to Access

The care is limited by geographic and economic factors. Social exclusion is worsened by patients often being unable to afford treatment, medication, and other financial difficulties caused by loss of income because of illness.

Strategies for Improvement

WHO and specialists suggest that psychiatric services need to be better funded, led, and integrated into general hospitals. Enhancing multidisciplinary teams, increasing community-based care, decreasing stigma and ensuring ongoing care is a significant move towards rectifying the increasing burden of mental health issues worldwide.