Global mental health disorders nearly double since 1990, Lancet study finds
The research, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in collaboration with the University of Queensland, analyzed data from 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2023, making it the most comprehensive global study on mental disorders to date.
The findings showed that adolescents aged 15 to 19 and women across all age groups carried the highest overall mental health burden, while some of the highest rates were recorded in high-income regions such as Western Europe and Australasia.
Anxiety and major depression surge after pandemic
Researchers assessed 12 mental disorders and found that all categories had increased over the past three decades.
Anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder were identified as the main drivers behind the recent surge. Since 2019, major depression cases have risen by around 24%, while anxiety disorders increased by more than 47%, with both conditions peaking in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study said mental disorders have now become the leading cause of disability worldwide, surpassing cardiovascular diseases, cancer and musculoskeletal disorders.
In 2023, mental disorders accounted for 171 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally, ranking as the fifth-largest contributor to the overall global disease burden.
Major gaps in treatment access
The report also highlighted severe inequalities in access to mental healthcare worldwide.
According to the findings, only about 9% of people suffering from major depression receive minimally adequate treatment globally, while in 90 countries fewer than 5% have access to sufficient care.
Researchers called for coordinated international action and sustained investment in mental health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Greece records significant increase
The study also found a sharp rise in mental health disorders in Greece.
According to the data, the number of people affected by mental disorders increased from 14,156 per 100,000 residents in 1990 to 19,552 in 2023.
Alize Ferrari, an affiliated professor at the IHME, said mental disorders had become one of the leading causes of health burden in Greece.
In 2023, mental disorders accounted for 325,000 DALYs in the Greek population, marking a 135.5% increase compared to 1990.
Overall, mental disorders represented 8.5% of Greece’s total disease burden, making them the country’s fifth-leading cause of lost healthy life years, with anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder contributing the largest share.
Source:AMNA
