A new study published in The Lancet has revealed that nearly 1.2 billion people across the world are currently living with at least one mental health condition, with women and young people making up the largest proportion of affected individuals.
According to the findings, factors such as economic hardship, domestic abuse, discrimination, traumatic experiences, armed conflicts, and weakening social relationships have contributed significantly to the global rise in mental health disorders. The report cited comments from Robert Trestman, chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s council on healthcare systems, who linked the growing burden to worsening social and economic pressures worldwide.
The study, which examined global data from 2023 and was released on Thursday, recorded a 95.5 percent increase in mental health disorders compared to the last major international assessment conducted in 1990.
Researchers identified anxiety and depression as the most common conditions among the 12 leading mental disorders affecting populations globally.
Other disorders highlighted in the report include autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anorexia, bulimia, dysthymia, conduct disorder, personality disorders, and intellectual developmental disabilities.
The findings further showed that autism, conduct disorders, ADHD, personality disorders, and intellectual disabilities were more common among males, while most other mental health conditions were found to affect females more frequently.
The study’s authors warned that the world is entering an increasingly troubling period marked by a growing mental health crisis.
Data from the research revealed sharp increases in several conditions, including a 158 percent rise in anxiety disorders and a 131 percent increase in depression cases worldwide.
Researchers also expressed concern over the growing impact of mental illness on younger people, noting a noticeable shift from previous trends where mental disorders were more common among middle-aged adults.
Lead author Damian Santomauro said he was surprised by the scale of the increase, especially among individuals aged between 15 and 39 years.
He explained that mental health burdens had historically peaked among middle-aged populations, making the current shift toward younger generations particularly alarming.
The study forms part of the broader 2023 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study, which analyses worldwide health trends and risk factors.
The researchers advised individuals experiencing mental health challenges to seek professional treatment, including therapy and medication where necessary.
They also encouraged healthier lifestyles, stressing the importance of proper nutrition, regular exercise, work-life balance, strong social relationships, and adequate sleep as key measures for preventing and managing mental health disorders.