According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people worldwide live with mental disorders, most commonly anxiety and depression.

These disorders have a huge impact not only on health but also on the economy, leading to long-term disability, high treatment costs, and reduced productivity.

The reports “World mental health today” and “Mental Health Atlas 2024” emphasize that although many countries are stepping up measures to provide psychosocial care, resources remain extremely limited and the scale of need far exceeds the capacity of health systems.

The WHO calls for an urgent increase in the volume and quality of mental health services. Even in countries with more developed systems, less than half of those in need receive help; in poor regions, this figure often does not exceed 10%. 

Mental illness is the second leading cause of long-term disability, and people with severe conditions tend to live 10–20 years less, often facing stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations. 

The WHO Director-General emphasized: “Investing in mental health is an investment in people, communities, and economies. No country can afford to ignore this issue.”

These reports are a key guide for shaping national strategies and global initiatives ahead of the high-level UN meeting on noncommunicable diseases and mental health, which will take place on September 25, 2025, in New York.