WHO urges governments to address mental health issues

The World Health Organization (WHO) called on all nations to invest more in addressing mental health issues, saying “the suffering is enormous” aggravated by the COVID pandemic. 

Before the pandemic, almost a billion people were living with a mental disorder, the UN agency said in its “World Mental Health Report”, the largest review of global mental health over the last two decades. 

During the first year of the pandemic, incidence of depression and anxiety went up by a quarter, while scarce resources were utilized to fighting the virus. 

Just two percent of national health budgets and less than one percent of all international health aid goes to mental health, according to the WHO report. 

“These numbers are very, very low,” said Mark Van Ommeren of the WHO’s mental health unit. 

“Interest in mental health right now is at an all-time high” due to the pandemic, he said. 

“But the investment in mental health has not gone up. This report gives countries information on how to invest their mental health money better.” 

About one in eight people globally live with a mental disorder, according to the report. It is worse for those living in conflict zones, where one in five people are estimated to suffer from a mental health condition. 

Young people, women and people already suffering mental health issues were harder hit by COVID and its ensuing restrictions, Van Ommeren said. 

“Where there is adversity, there are more mental health problems,” he added. 

The report highlighted vast gaps in access to mental healthcare between nations. 

While more than 70% of people suffering psychosis receive treatment in high-income countries, the number drops to 12% in low-income nations. 

The report called for an end to the stigma attached to mental health, pointing out that 20 countries still criminalize attempted suicide. 

It also said that while one in 20 suicide attempts leads to death, suicide still accounts for more than one out of every 100 deaths worldwide. 

Enoch Li in China told WHO researchers that she “used to look down upon those who wanted to kill themselves” before severe depression made her suicidal herself. 

“I was moments away from dying,” she said, before her boyfriend stopped her and she sought help. 

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “everyone’s life touches someone with a mental health condition”. 

“Investment into mental health is an investment into a better life and future for all,” he said.