Global mental health challenges have reached alarming levels, with nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide affected by various mental disorders in 2023 — an increase of 95.5% compared to 1990, according to a new international study.
As reported by CNN, the findings were published Thursday in the medical journal The Lancet. The research identified anxiety and depression as the most widespread mental health conditions globally, followed by personality-related disorders.
The study analyzed trends in 12 categories of mental disorders across 204 countries and territories, considering age, gender, geographical location, and socioeconomic conditions. Researchers warned that the global burden of mental illness is becoming increasingly severe.
Lead author Damian Santomauro, an associate professor at The University of Queensland, said he was surprised by the scale of the findings. According to him, multiple interconnected factors are driving the crisis, and stronger global leadership is needed to address the growing risks.
The research also covered conditions including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anorexia, bulimia, dysthymia, conduct disorder, and intellectual disability of unknown causes.
Data from the study showed that anxiety disorders have increased by 158% since 1990, while depression cases have risen by 131%. Although anorexia, bulimia, and schizophrenia remained comparatively less common, the number of people affected in 2023 still reached approximately 4 million, 14 million, and 26 million respectively.
Researchers found that most mental health conditions were more common among women. However, autism, ADHD, conduct disorder, personality disorders, and unexplained intellectual disabilities were reported more frequently among men.
The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was also evident in the findings. Experts noted that anxiety and depression were already increasing before the pandemic, but depression intensified significantly during the global health crisis and has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Anxiety rates also remained elevated through 2023.
The study was based on data from the 2023 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, one of the world’s largest health assessment projects conducted by Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at University of Washington.
Rising Risks Among Young People
The report highlighted that mental disorders are increasingly becoming a leading cause of disability worldwide, especially among women and people aged between 15 and 39.
For the first time, the highest rate of mental health problems was recorded among adolescents aged 15 to 19. Previously, such conditions were more commonly associated with middle-aged populations.
Mental health experts emphasized that adolescence and early adulthood are crucial periods for brain development and social skill formation. Psychological disorders during these years can have long-lasting consequences on education, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Specialists also noted that social stigma surrounding mental illness has gradually declined, encouraging more people to seek treatment. Improved diagnosis and healthcare systems, along with population growth and longer life expectancy, have also contributed to the rising numbers.
At the same time, economic uncertainty, war, political instability, limited healthcare access, domestic violence, social isolation, inequality, and environmental pressures continue to worsen mental health conditions globally.
Researchers warned that while the burden of mental illness continues to grow rapidly, mental healthcare services have not expanded at the same pace. They stressed that ensuring accessible and effective mental health support has now become a global necessity.
Nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide suffer from mental health problems: Study
