More than 1 billion people are living with mental health conditions worldwide, with anxiety and depression driving the second-leading cause of long-term disability, according to two World Health Organization reports. The findings were published in  “World mental health today” and “Mental Health Atlas 2024,” and the organization underscored an urgent need for increased investment, legal reform and systemic change. [Becker's Behavioral Health ]

Here are six things to know:

1. More than 1 billion people live with mental health disorders, which are highly prevalent across all countries and income levels, according to a Sept. 2 news release from the WHO. 
2. Depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion annually, largely due to lost productivity, according to the reports.
3. Suicide remains the leading cause of death among young people. At current rates, global efforts are projected to reduce suicide mortality by 12% by 2030, short of the U.N. goal of 33%.
4. Median government spending on mental health has stagnated at 2% of total health budgets since 2017. Low-income countries spend as little as 4 cents per person, compared to $65 in high-income nations.
5. The global median number of mental health workers stands at 13 per 100,000 people, with stark shortages in low- and middle-income countries.
6. Fewer than 10% of countries have fully adopted community-based care. Inpatient psychiatric care remains common, with high rates of involuntary admission and long stays, the reports said. 

1 in 7 adolescents face a mental health disorder: WHO report

World Health Organization report underscores the urgent and growing behavioral health needs of adolescents worldwide. 

The organization’s report, published Sept. 1, found rising rates of depression and anxiety, as well as suicide, substance use and eating disorders to be the most prevalent mental health challenges among younger demographics.

Here are eight key takeaways:

1. One in seven adolescents faces a mental health condition. Globally, about 14% of 10- to 19-year-olds live with a mental health condition, making up 15% of the disease burden in this age group. 
2. Depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders are among the most common conditions. 
3. Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for ages 15-29. Risk factors include harmful alcohol use, childhood trauma, stigma around seeking help, limited access to care and the availability of lethal means. 
4. Risks extend far beyond adolescence. Unaddressed mental health challenges can impair physical health, limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives into adulthood.
5. Vulnerable groups face higher risks. Adolescents living in humanitarian and fragile settings or marginalized communities, as well as those with chronic illness or neurological conditions, experience heightened exposure to stigma, exclusion and barriers to care. 
6. Though less common than other mental health conditions, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa often begin in adolescence and carry one of the highest mortality rates of any mental health disorder. 
7. Substance use starts young. Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use often take root in the teenage years, with harmful patterns persisting into adulthood. WHO data shows 22% of 15- to 19-year-olds reported alcohol use in 2019. 
8. Prevention works best in schools and communities. Protective environments — such as social care settings, in classrooms and across digital platforms — play a critical role in reducing stigma, promoting resilience and deterring risk behaviors. 

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