Mental health

2 October 2019
Good mental health is related to mental and psychological well-being. WHO’s work to improve the mental health of individuals and society at large includes the promotion of mental well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, the protection of human rights and the care of people affected by mental disorders.

WHO/S.Volkov
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Mental, neurological and substance use disorders make up 10% of the global burden of disease and 30% of non-fatal disease burden.

WHO/K. Reidy
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Around 1 in 5 of the world's children and adolescents have a mental disorder.

WHO/Matthew Johnstone
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Depression is one of the leading causes of disability, affecting 264 million people.

WHO/E. Schwab
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About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14.

WHO/A. Brunier
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Almost 800 000 people die by suicide every year; 1 person dies from suicide every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 15-29 years.

WHO
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Around 1 in 9 people in settings affected by conflict have a moderate or severe mental disorder.

WHO/E. Rice
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People with severe mental disorders die 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population.

WHO/A. Brunier
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Rates of mental health workers vary from below 2 per 100 000 population in low-income countries to over 70 per 100 000 in high-income countries.

Erminia Colucci, Breaking the Chains
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Less than half of the 139 countries that have mental health policies and plans report having these aligned with human rights conventions.

WHO
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The global economy loses about US$ 1 trillion per year in productivity due to depression and anxiety.

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