Mental Health
Global strategic direction
Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental health remains a neglected part of public health agendas, even though mental health conditions account for nearly 20% of years of life lost due to disability and are associated with up to US$ 1 trillion per year in economic losses. Over 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression (and almost the same number from anxiety disorders), while global suicide (up to 800 000 deaths per year) is a leading cause of death in young people.
The statistics for common mental disorders are increasing because populations are growing, and more people live to the age when depression and anxiety most commonly occur. Mental health problems have a big health and social impact on societies. Depression is ranked by WHO as the single largest contributor to global disability (7.5% of all years lived with disability in 2015).
More than 80% of people experiencing mental health conditions do not receive appropriate treatment. Guided by WHO’s 13th Global Programme of Work, WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse’s (MSD) mission is to reduce the burden associated with mental, neurological and substance use disorders, and to promote mental health worldwide. This work contributes towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4 on mental health and wellbeing. One of the strategic actions for MSD is to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) for mental health. The Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 aims to promote mental health and well-being, prevent mental disorders, provide care, enhance recovery, promote human rights and reduce mortality, morbidity and disability for persons with mental disorders.