In this entry, we give the most recent estimates of mental health disorder prevalence and disease burden. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation produced most of the estimates in this item, published in their flagship Global Burden of Disease research.

According to this report, 792 million people had a mental health issue in 2017. This equates to little more than one out of every ten people on the planet (10.7 percent )

Mental illnesses are complex and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The data offered in this item is based on specific definitions (which we describe in each relevant section), which are normally in agreement with the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia are all included in this broad description.

Mental health illnesses are still under-reported in large numbers; we examine the challenges of dealing with this data in our section on Data Quality & Definitions. This is true in all nations, but it is especially true in low-income countries, where information is poor and mental health illnesses receive less attention and treatment. The figures in this entry should be regarded as estimates of mental health disorder prevalence; they do not reflect diagnosis data (which would provide a global perspective on diagnosis rather than actual prevalence differences), but rather are derived from a combination of medical, epidemiological, and survey data, as well as meta-regression modeling in the absence of raw data. Here is a link to more information.

It’s also crucial to remember that the statistics on mental health are notoriously unreliable, so we should be cautious when interpreting trends over time or variances between countries.

As evidenced by the statistics presented in this entry, mental health illnesses are widespread. Improving global health by increasing knowledge, recognition, support, and treatment for this wide variety of diseases should be prioritized.

The table below summarises the data on mental health and substance use issues that follow. When you click on a certain disorder, you’ll be sent to the part where you may learn more about it.