Depression & anxiety jumps by 25% during COVID pandemic
Depression & anxiety jumps by 25% during COVID pandemic

The international health agency – World Health Organisation (WHO), once again highlighted the significance of mental health, adding the organisation is making every possible effort to raise awareness among the world population about the issue, which is considered a ‘stigma’ in society.

The official Twitter handle of the WHO stated, “WHO calls on all stakeholders to work together to deepen the value and commitment given to Mental Health, reshape the environments that influence mental health and strengthen the systems that care for people’s mental health“.

It then added that the mental health conditions are widespread, undertreated and under-resourced as the official data notes one individual among every eight is living with a mental health condition.

While there are nearly 71% of people with psychosis do not receive mental health services, and only 2% of the total health budgets on average go to mental health, as per the official data shared by the international health agency.

“Across the world, the mental health needs are high, but responses are insufficient and inadequate”, stated WHO, adding, “In the year 2019, around one billion people – including 14% of the world’s adolescents – were living with a mental disorder. Suicide computed for over 1 in 100 deaths, and 58% of suicides happened before the age of 50”.

Mental disorders have also been blamed as the leading reason for disability. Moreover, the study found that people with mental health issues die 10 to 20 years earlier as compared to the general population who do not have any mental illness.

These numbers have soared during the times of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Depression and anxiety went up by more than 25% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic alone. Social as well as economic inequalities, public health emergencies, war, & the climate crisis are among the global, structural dangers to mental health”, highlights WHO.