Global mental health crisis deepens as disorders rise and funding lags, WHO warns

WHO officials at the 79th World Health Assembly warn that more than 1 billion people live with a mental health condition—a figure that is rising and remains chronically underfunded, with spending on mental health highly uneven across countries. Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common, and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their incidence. Suicide claims about 740,000 lives each year (roughly one every 43 seconds), with higher rates among men and increased risk for vulnerable groups. Access to treatment is limited (only about one in four people with anxiety receive care), and regional prevalence varies, highlighting the need for stronger investment as mental health occupies a major agenda item.