MHPSS worldwide: facts and figures

What about mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) worldwide?

Mental health in general

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally 1 out of every 4 people will be impacted by poor mental health or mental illness at some point in their lives.
350 million people worldwide suffer from depression.
According to the WHO, each year an estimated 800,000 people take their own lives – almost twice the number of people killed by malaria.
Suicide is the second highest cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. Percentages are especially high among girls and young women.
Almost 9 out of 10 people with a mental condition experience stigma and discrimination.
In high-income countries, 5 out of 10 people that require MHPSS cannot access the care they need. In low- and middle-income countries, this number rises to 9 out of 10 people.

According to the WHO, 20% of people affected by disasters and conflicts require psychosocial support.
Worldwide, more than 70 million people are currently displaced as a result of violence and conflict – the highest number since World War II.
Mental health issues usually persist much longer in crisis situations because of the ongoing stress and lack of support.
Mental issues caused by crisis situations hamper social and economic reconstruction.

In total, poor mental health costs the world economy an estimated USD 2.5 trillion a year in reduced economic productivity and physical ill-health. This will rise to USD 6 trillion by 2030, alongside social costs and the contribution to poverty, homelessness and crime.
According to the World Economic Forum, mental illness will account for more than half of the economic burden of disease over the next two decades – more than cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases combined.
54% of the economic burden of disease falls to low- and middle-income countries.
Investing in MHPSS also brings economic returns. The World Bank estimates that for every dollar invested in treating mental conditions, there is a return of between USD 3.3 and USD 5.7 dollars in economic and social benefits.

Spending on mental healthcare continues to be low compared to total healthcare spending. In 2015, for example, a total of USD 36 billion was spent on healthcare. Only USD 110 million of this – 0.3% – was spent on mental health.
Low-income countries spend around USD 0.02 per person on mental healthcare. This should be a minimum of USD 3 to USD 4.
The world’s most important mental healthcare donors are the US, the UK, Germany, France, Canada and Australia.
In 2000-2015, charities accounted for around 30% of all development spending on mental healthcare.

International Conference on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Crisis Situations – Amsterdam, 7 & 8 October 2019.