WHO: 1 Billion People Face Mental Health Conditions, Urges Urgent Action

The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm that nearly one billion people globally are living with mental health conditions, a crisis that, if left unaddressed, could claim millions of lives and weigh heavily on economies.

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, issued the warning ahead of the High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health, scheduled for September 25 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

Dr. Tedros said that governments have a “unique chance” to commit to saving lives by tackling NCDs and prioritizing mental health in policy and funding decisions.

“Non-communicable diseases include seven of the world’s top 10 causes of death. In addition, almost one billion people face mental health conditions,”

“Countries that act decisively to beat NCDs will save millions of lives, protect families, cut health costs, and unlock economic growth,” he stated.

Suicide and Economic Impact a Growing Concern

Beyond the individual suffering, Dr. Tedros highlighted the global toll of NCDs and mental health disorders, warning that they not only cut lives short but also create significant financial burdens on health systems and economies.

Suicide remains the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds worldwide, with over 73% of these deaths recorded in low- and middle-income countries. In Nigeria alone, the suicide mortality rate stood at 3.5 per 100,000 people as of January 2024 — translating to roughly 15,000 deaths annually.

The WHO chief noted that countries have been negotiating a political declaration for over a year, aiming to set ambitious 2030 global targets. These include reducing tobacco use by 150 million people, expanding mental health care access to another 150 million, and ensuring 150 million people achieve control of hypertension.

“Investing in NCD prevention is not a cost,” Dr. Tedros stressed. “It’s one of the smartest economic decisions any government can make. But too often, governments face fierce opposition from industries that profit from unhealthy products.”

The High-Level Meeting is expected to conclude with a strong political declaration that could shape international collaboration on mental health and NCDs for the next decade.

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