Alarming mental health crisis

A report published on April 30th by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) stated that poor mental health is one of the biggest public health and economic challenges in Europe, costing approximately 76 billion euros annually. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has also raised the alarm about this issue.

Mental disorders are a growing healthcare burden worldwide.

The OECD states that a large part of that cost stems from the fact that mental illness exacerbates other physical illnesses, leading to more complex and expensive treatments. Estimates also indicate that these illnesses will profoundly impact the labor market, causing an average annual decrease of 1.7% of GDP between 2025 and 2050.

According to the OECD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorders will lead to a reduction of 2.5 years in healthy life expectancy across the European Union (EU) over the next 25 years, equivalent to approximately 28,000 premature deaths per year. Across OECD countries, the prevalence of mental disorders has increased by nearly 21% in the last two decades. Anxiety disorders are the most common, accounting for about 40% of all cases, followed by depressive disorders at 20% and substance use disorders at 17%.

The report points to numerous social and environmental factors as the primary cause of this increase. Early COVID-19 lockdowns, wars, geopolitical instability, and economic crises have all contributed to the decline in mental health. The report states: “Anxiety about climate change has emerged as a significant concern for young people, with 84% of young people globally reporting moderate to extreme anxiety about the future of the planet.” The overuse of social media is also emerging as a significant concern, particularly among younger populations.

Meanwhile, according to a report from the University of Michigan, at least 55 million people in the US are suffering from some form of mental disorder, costing the economy $282 billion annually.

Globally, the WHO is urging countries to take urgent action to address the growing mental health crisis.

A WHO report indicates that more than 1 billion people worldwide live with mental disorders, but only 9% of those suffering from depression receive treatment. In particular, the mental health of young people is being strongly affected by the rise of social media and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On average, more than one in every 100 deaths is due to suicide, and for every death, there are 20 attempted suicides. In 2021, an estimated 727,000 suicides occurred worldwide, making suicide the leading cause of death among young people.

The WHO also warned that the average budget that governments allocate to mental health care is low, accounting for only 2% of total health budgets, and this figure has remained unchanged since 2017. According to the WHO's recommendations, reforming mental health services is one of the most pressing challenges facing global public health today.

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Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/bao-dong-khung-hoang-suc-khoe-tam-than-a203536.html