Global Mental Health Disorders Double Since 1990, WHO Reports 1.2 Billion Cases

A new global analysis published in The Lancet has found that mental health disorders have risen sharply worldwide, with nearly 1.2 billion people living with such conditions in 2023—almost double the estimated prevalence recorded in 1990. The study highlights a rapidly worsening global mental health burden, describing it as a growing public health crisis that has outpaced the expansion of treatment and support systems.

Researchers estimate that around one in every seven people globally is currently affected by a mental disorder. The analysis, led by experts including Dr Damian Santomauro of the University of Queensland, examined data across 12 major psychiatric conditions and reported increases across all categories. Anxiety disorders rose by 158 percent since 1990, while depression increased by 131 percent, making them the most prevalent conditions worldwide.

The study also noted that although most mental health disorders were more common among females, certain conditions—including autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorders, and personality disorders—were more frequently diagnosed in males. Less common but severe conditions such as schizophrenia, anorexia, and bulimia were also tracked, collectively affecting tens of millions of people globally.

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Researchers pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a major factor that intensified the crisis. While rates of anxiety and depression were already rising prior to the pandemic, the study found that both conditions spiked during the crisis and have remained elevated through 2023. Experts say disruptions in social interaction, economic instability, and increased uncertainty have contributed to the sustained impact on mental wellbeing.

A key finding of the report is the shifting burden of mental illness toward younger populations, with adolescents aged 15 to 19 now showing the highest levels of mental disorder burden for the first time. Experts warn that early-life mental health challenges can have long-term developmental consequences. The study concludes that mental health services have not expanded at a pace proportional to rising needs, emphasizing that addressing the growing crisis is an urgent global health obligation requiring expanded access to therapy, medical care, and preventive support systems.

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