Geneva/New York, June 17 – The World Health Organization has called for urgently transforming the global mental health care as nearly 1 billion people were living with a mental disorder in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic struck and mental health illnesses have risen significantly since then.
Depression and anxiety went up by more than 25 per cent in 2020 alone, the first year of the pandemic, WHO said.
The Geneva-based organization issued its largest review of world mental health since the beginning of the 21st century in a 296-page study that reported on conditions of mental health services in scores of countries, illustrated with stories of people who struggled with health disorders. It said the report provided a blueprint for governments, academics, health professionals, civil society and others with “an ambition to support the world in transforming mental health.”
“For decades mental health has been one of the most overlooked areas of public health, receiving a tiny part of the attention and resources it needs and deserves,” it said.
Mental illnesses include schizophrenia, autism spectrum, eating and bipolar disorders, anxiety and depression.
Read report: https://who.canto.global/b/SBC7Q
WHO said in a press release that the report is urging mental health decision makers and advocates “to step up commitment and action to change attitudes, actions and approaches to mental health, its determinants and mental health care.”
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Everyone’s life touches someone with a mental health condition. Good mental health translates to good physical health and this new report makes a compelling case for change.”
“The inextricable links between mental health and public health, human rights and socioeconomic development mean that transforming policy and practice in mental health can deliver real, substantive benefits for individuals, communities and countries everywhere. Investment into mental health is an investment into a better life and future for all.”
The report said mental disorders are the leading cause of disability and the nearly 1 billion people with mental disorders included 14 per cent of the world’s adolescents. It said suicide accounted for more than 1 in 100 deaths and 58 per cent of suicides occurred before age 50.
It said people with severe mental health conditions die on average 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population, mostly due to preventable physical diseases. Childhood sexual abuse and bullying victimization are major causes of depression.
Social and economic inequalities, public health emergencies, war, and the climate crisis are among the global, structural threats to mental health.
Stigma, discrimination and human rights violations against people with mental health conditions are widespread in communities and care systems everywhere; 20 countries still criminalize attempted suicide.
The report said the poorest and most disadvantaged in society are at greatest risk of mental ill-health who are also the least likely to receive adequate services.
Dévora Kestel, Director of WHO’s Mental Health and Substance Use Department, who led the team of experts to produce the report, called for change: “Every country has ample opportunity to make meaningful progress towards better mental health for its population. Whether developing stronger mental health policies and laws, covering mental health in insurance schemes, developing or strengthening community mental health services or integrating mental health into general health care, schools, and prisons, the many examples in this report show that the strategic changes can make a big difference.”
Report urges governments to implement 2013-2030 plan
The report urged all countries to accelerate their implementation of the comprehensive mental health action plan 2013–2030, which was signed by all 194 WHO member states. The plan committed the members to global targets for transforming mental health.
“Pockets of progress achieved over the past decade prove that change is possible,” WHO said. ”But change is not happening fast enough, and the story of mental health remains one of need and neglect with 2 out of 3 dollars of scarce government spending on mental health allocated to stand-alone psychiatric hospitals rather than community-based mental health services where people are best served.
WHO called for (1) deepening the value and commitment to transform mental health, provide committed leadership, pursue evidence-based policies and practice and establishing robust information and monitoring systems. (2) Reshape environments that influence mental health, including homes, communities, schools, workplaces, health care services, natural environments. (3) Strengthen mental health care by changing where, how, and by whom mental health care is delivered and received.
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