{"id":53017,"date":"2025-09-03T21:01:20","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T15:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=53017"},"modified":"2025-09-09T13:33:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T08:03:52","slug":"who-new-mental-health-reports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-09-2025\/who-new-mental-health-reports","title":{"rendered":"WHO Released New Reports on Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The World Health Organisation has published two new reports &#8211; <strong>\u2018World Mental Health Today\u2019 and \u2018Mental Health Atlas 2024.\u2019<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The reports serve as <strong>critical tools to shape global dialogue<\/strong> ahead of the <strong>2025 United Nations High-Level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases and promotion of mental health and well-being,<\/strong> taking place in September 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Highlights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Global Mental Health Issue:<\/strong> More than a billion people are living with mental health disorders.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An estimated 727,000 people across all ages lost their lives to suicide in 2021, with one suicide death happening in over 20 suicide attempts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suicide accounts for one in every 100 deaths globally.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f0eff2\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f0eff2;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"644\" height=\"181\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/the-global-prevalence-of-mental-disorders-in-2021.webp\" alt=\"global-prevalence-of-mental-disorders-in-2021\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-53021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/the-global-prevalence-of-mental-disorders-in-2021.webp 644w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/the-global-prevalence-of-mental-disorders-in-2021-300x84.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 644px) 100vw, 644px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Most Common Mental Health Disorders: Anxiety and depressive disorders <\/strong>together accounted for <strong>more than two-thirds <\/strong>of all mental health conditions in 2021.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Between 2011 and 2021, the number of people living with mental disorders increased faster than the global population.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vulnerable Age Groups: <\/strong>Younger adults aged 20\u201329 years are estimated to have the largest increases (1.8 percent) in prevalence since 2011.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Males are estimated to have attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, and an idiopathic disorder of intellectual development more commonly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Females are estimated to experience anxiety, depressive, and eating disorders more often.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Progress under SDG: Suicide <\/strong>is the leading cause of death among young people across all countries and socio-economic contexts.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Yet, <strong>progress in reducing suicide mortality is too low<\/strong> to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of a <strong>one-third reduction in suicide rates by 2030.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Currently, only a <strong>12% reduction will be achieved by that deadline.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic and Policy Implications: <\/strong>While health-care costs are substantial, the indirect costs \u2013 particularly in lost productivity \u2013 are far greater.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy an estimated <strong>US$1 trillion each year.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of Quality Care: <\/strong>Reaffirms continuing shortfalls in resources, workforce availability, and the quality of care, especially in low- and middle-income countries.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fewer than one in ten (9%) people with major depressive disorder have been estimated to receive minimally adequate treatment globally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Gaps in Mental Health Transformation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e0d0d1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"535\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Key-Gaps-in-Mental-Health-Transformation.webp\" alt=\"Key Gaps in Mental Health Transformation\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-53020\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e0d0d1; width:417px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Key-Gaps-in-Mental-Health-Transformation.webp 535w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Key-Gaps-in-Mental-Health-Transformation-292x300.webp 292w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mental Health Concerns in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>As per the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16,<\/strong><strong>10.6% adults<\/strong> in India suffered from mental disorders, while the treatment gap for mental disorders ranged between<strong> 70% and 92%.&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The prevalence of mental morbidity was <strong>higher in urban metro regions (13.5%) <\/strong>as compared to rural areas (6.9%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Economic Survey 2024-25<\/strong> highlights the connection between<strong> mental health and the country\u2019s economic future<\/strong>. The survey highlights the rising mental health concerns among India\u2019s youth due to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Excessive internet &amp; social media use:<\/strong> Leads to anxiety, sleep disorders, and attention issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of family engagement: <\/strong>Weak social support systems negatively impact emotional well-being.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hostile workplaces &amp; long working hours:<\/strong> Cause burnout, stress, and reduced productivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unhealthy lifestyle choices:<\/strong> Ultra-processed foods and lack of physical activity worsen mental and physical health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges in Psychiatric Healthcare in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Poor Conditions in Psychiatric Hospitals: <\/strong>Often associated with cruelty, neglect, abuse, and substandard living conditions.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reflects systemic neglect and inadequate accountability mechanisms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scant Funding: <\/strong>Mental health receives extremely low budget allocation, about 1% of the total health budget, with most going to institutions rather than community-based care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shortage of Trained Personnel:<\/strong> Severe scarcity of psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, nurses, and social workers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Disproportionate distribution: <\/strong>Few psychiatrists at district HQs, almost none in towns\/villages.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This leads to an urban-rural mental healthcare divide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accessibility &amp; Economic Barriers: <\/strong>Medicines are unavailable in rural\/interior areas.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Travel to seek care leads to loss of wages, unaffordable for poor families.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Patients with severe mental illness are usually non-earning members, worsening their financial strain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Initiatives by the Government of India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/16-02-2023\/indias-mental-healthcare-act\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/16-02-2023\/indias-mental-healthcare-act\">Mental Healthcare Act, 2017:<\/a> <\/strong>The act <strong>decriminalised suicide attempts<\/strong> in India and also included WHO guidelines in the categorisation of mental illnesses.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The most significant provision in the act was <strong>\u201cadvance directives\u201d, <\/strong>which allowed individuals with mental illnesses to decide the course of their treatment.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also <strong>restricted the use of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT)<\/strong> and banned its use on minors, finally introducing measures to tackle stigma in Indian society.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2017: <\/strong>The Act acknowledges mental illness as a disability and seeks to enhance the Rights and Entitlements of the Disabled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kiran Helpline:<\/strong> The helpline is a <strong>step towards suicide prevention<\/strong> and can help with support and crisis management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>District Mental Health Programme (DMHP): <\/strong>Delivered in 767 districts, offering services like suicide prevention, stress management, and counseling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP):<\/strong> Launched in 2022 to provide access to mental health services through 53 Tele MANAS Cells across 36 states\/UTs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expansion of Mental Health Capacity: <\/strong>Strengthening mental health services and educational resources in medical colleges and hospitals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/health-wellness\/blood-sugar-walking-regularly-fitness-routine-10227038\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The World Health Organisation has published two new reports &#8211; \u2018World Mental Health Today\u2019 and \u2018Mental Health Atlas 2024.\u2019<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Challenges in Psychiatric Healthcare in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Poor Conditions in Psychiatric Hospitals: Often associated with cruelty, neglect, abuse, and substandard living conditions.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Reflects systemic neglect and inadequate accountability mechanisms.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Scant Funding: Mental health receives extremely low budget allocation, about 1% of the total health budget, with most going to institutions rather than community-based care.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Shortage of Trained Personnel: Severe scarcity of psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, nurses, and social workers.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-09-2025\/who-new-mental-health-reports\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-53017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53017","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53017"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53017\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53477,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53017\/revisions\/53477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}