A new study published in The Lancet has revealed that anxiety and depression have pushed the number of people living with mental health disorders worldwide to an estimated 1.2 billion.
According to the research, the number of people affected by mental illnesses has nearly doubled over the past three decades, largely driven by a sharp rise in anxiety and depression cases globally.
The study estimated that around 1.2 billion people worldwide were suffering from at least one mental health disorder in 2023.
Researchers found that mental health disorders increased by 95% between 1990 and 2023, with depression and anxiety cases rising by 131% and 158%, respectively. The two conditions have now become the most common mental health disorders worldwide.
The researchers stressed the need for stronger global action to address mental health challenges, particularly among vulnerable groups.
The study also showed that women are more affected by mental health disorders than men. Globally, around 620 million cases were recorded among women, compared to 552 million among men.
According to researchers, factors such as low self-esteem, concerns over body image and domestic violence may contribute to the higher prevalence of mental illness among women.
Depression, anxiety, persistent depressive symptoms and bipolar disorder were found to be more common among women, while behavioral conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism were more prevalent among men.
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The study further found that mental health problems were most common among individuals aged 15 to 19.
