Mental Health: Epidemiology and tackling the Mental Health Crisis

Introduction

The state of a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being is referred to as "mental
health." According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of well-
being where an individual recognises their own abilities, is able to cope with daily stresses, work
productively, and contribute to their community (WHO, 2019). Mental health is essential to an
individual's overall health and well-being and their ability to live a life of fulfilment and
productivity. Mental illness is a condition marked by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and
behaviours that can cause significant discomfort or impairment in a person's daily life. Mental
health is a vital part of a person's overall well-being because it includes various factors, including
psychological, social and emotional aspects, that affect a person's ability to function daily. The
Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) estimates that anxiety disorders and depression are the
foremost causes of disability globally. Despite its significance, mental health is frequently
overlooked and stigmatised, leading to a global mental health crisis. In terms of mental health,
epidemiology helps us understand the prevalence and risk factors for mental health disorders and
the impact of these disorders on individuals and society as a whole. This essay will explore the
epidemiology of mental health and discuss potential solutions to the mental health crisis.

Discussion

The global mental health crisis has steadily risen in recent years (Panu, 2020). According to
WHO (2019), one in every four people will experience mental or neurological disorders at least
once. Mental illness is common in low- and middle-income countries, with residents having
limited access to psychological services due to a lack of trained personnel, resources, and
appropriate infrastructure (Javed et al., 2021). The economic toll of mental illness is also
significant. Studies estimate the global burden of mental disorders to be more than $2.5 trillion in
2010, with expected estimates reaching $6 trillion by 2030. (Marquez & Saxena, 2016). Several
risk factors, including childhood experiences, genetic factors, poverty, trauma, and social
isolation, have been linked to the outcome of mental illnesses (WHO, 2022; Campion, 2019).
Exposure to war or other forms of violence, natural disasters, substance abuse, and physical
illness are also risk factors for mental illness (Felitti et al., 2019). Family history has been
identified as a significant risk factor for mental illness, and individuals with mental health
disorders in their family history may be at a higher risk of developing a mental health disorder
themselves (Xie et al., 2019). Mental health epidemiology is crucial for identifying risk factors
and developing effective interventions and policies to address the mental health crisis.

Mental Illness in Global Adult Populations

Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and schizophrenia affect many global adult
populations. A systematic review of cohort studies by the WHO in 2019 suggests that in LMICs,
people with mental disorders primarily receive no treatment and often receive poor-quality
treatment where it is available. (Kohn et al., 2004). Psychological disorders are among the noted
causes of disability worldwide, with depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia being the
most common (WHO, 2019). Inadequate access to psychological health services persists,
resulting in a global treatment gap in which healthcare practitioners do not administer treatment
to more than 50% of individuals with mental illnesses (Bruckner et al., 2011). Depression, in
particular, is the leading cause of adult disability worldwide, affecting an estimated 350 million
people (Nath, 2021).

Anxiety disorders, such as PTSD, panic disorder, and phobias, affect a sizable segment of the
global adult population, with an estimated 264 million people affected (Alcantara et al., 2022).
Schizophrenia, which affects approximately 21 million adults worldwide, is a severe mental
disorder that impairs people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviour (Akins, 2022). Cohort studies of
global adult populations report depression and schizophrenia incidence rates of around 6% and
0.3%, respectively (Ebert et al., 2019; Heinz, 2019), while some studies indicate that women
have a higher likelihood than men of developing depression and anxiety disorders (Kalin, 2020).
People from lower socioeconomic groups and those who have experienced trauma such as abuse
or violence are more likely to develop psychological disorders (Clemente-Suárez et al., 2021).
Furthermore, particular cultural groups may be more prone to developing certain disorders, such
as PTSD among refugees or depression among people who have faced discrimination
(Henkelmannn et al., 2020).

Tackling the Mental Health Crisis

Suicide, one of the most common causes of death among people aged 15–29 and a leading cause
of death around the globe, has been identified as a significant burden of mental illness (Bilsen,
2018). Despite the widespread prevalence of psychological disorders worldwide, care availability
for individuals with mental illness remains restricted, particularly in LMICs. In 2019, the WHO
reported that in LMICs, most people with mental disorders receive no treatment, and less than
40% receive the necessary treatment they require. Individuals with mental illnesses are more
likely to have a lower life expectancy, lower educational attainment, and be unemployed, making
mental illness both a personal tragedy and a significant burden on society (Hakulinen et al.,
2019). Individuals with mental illness are reportedly more likely to develop chronic physical
health problems (Kivimäki et al., 2020). In order to deal with the global mental health crisis, it is
crucial to implement critical public health interventions and enhance access to mental health
assistance through expanding national and global mental health policies and programs,
strengthening primary care and community-based assistance, and integrating mental health
services into general health care (Pandya et al., 2020). Furthermore, encouraging awareness
campaigns promoting positive psychological health and public education on psychological
disorders may help prevent mental illness (Zhang et al., 2020).

Medication and therapy are the most commonly used approaches to addressing mental health
(McHugh & Weiss, 2019). Medication, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, can help
relieve symptoms of mental health disorders, while therapy, such as cognitive behavioural
therapy and talk therapy, can help people understand and cope with their mental health issues
(Waller et al., 2020). While these approaches may effectively treat mental health disorders, they
are not always available or appropriate for everyone.

Challenges in Tackling the Mental Health Crisis

Despite several public health responses, including therapy and medication, which are currently
employed to tackle the global mental health crisis, there are still numerous barriers to the
effectiveness of these interventions, including lack of awareness, stigma, and lack of funding.
One of the most difficult challenges in addressing the global mental health crisis is inadequate
access to care (Whittle et al., 2019). Several studies have reported that about 10% of individuals
with mental illness receive treatment in LMICs, primarily due to a lack of resources and trained
personnel (WHO, 2019). Even in countries where mental health professionals are available,
individuals have limited access to care due to mental health professional shortages, resulting in
long waiting lists (Zhai & Du, 2020). Furthermore, mental health and physical health services are
frequently poorly integrated, resulting in fragmented care for patients (Salami et al., 2019).

Another significant challenge is the stigma attached to mental illness (González-Sanguino et al.,
2019). The stigma linked with mental health may deter people from pursuing help, as they could
feel ashamed or embarrassed to reveal their mental health disorder (Buchman-Wildbaum et al.,
2020). Stigma leads to discrimination, social exclusion, and reduced access to education,
employment, and housing (Mejia-Lancheros et al., 2021), further exacerbating the burden of
mental illness and making it more challenging for people with mental illness to obtain the care
they need. A lack of funding and resources also poses significant barriers to accessing mental
health services (Lebano et al., 2020). In low- and middle-income countries, a large percentage of
individuals may not access psychological health services in their community due to the limited
integration of physical and mental health facilities (Fusar-Poli, 2019), or they cannot afford
therapy or medication (Alang, 2019).

Conclusion

Mental health is a vital aspect of a person's overall well-being; however, the needs of individuals
with mental health disorders are e is often overlooked and stigmatised, resulting in a global
mental health crisis that requires immediate attention. Epidemiology, the study of the distribution
and ramifications of health-related events or activities, is critical to understanding the mental
health crisis. According to the WHO, mental disorders affect approximately 20% of the global
population, with depression and anxiety being the most prevalent. The impact of psychological
health disorders is significant for individuals and society, with estimates suggesting that mental
health disorders account for up to 3% of the global GDP in direct and indirect costs (WHO,
2022). Individuals with mental health disorders may experience a wide range of adverse
consequences, such as decreased quality of life, increased disability and mortality, and higher
healthcare costs (Ma et al., 2020). The global burden of mental disorders is estimated to have
increased by 37% in 2030, making it the leading cause of disability on a global scale (WHO,
2019). Various risk factors, including genetic predisposition, traumatic life events, and social and
economic facets, such as poverty and inadequate access to education, contribute to developing
mental health disorders (Campion, 2019). For example, individuals who have experienced
traumatic life events, such as abuse or neglect, may be more likely to develop a mental health
disorder (Aronson et al., 2020). Another critical determinant of mental disorders is the
availability of mental health services, with accessibility also a significant concern (Shim &
Compton, 2020). Unfortunately, access to mental health assistance is limited in many LMICs,
with only a tiny percentage of individuals who need mental health services receiving them
(WHO, 2020). Furthermore, mental health services often lack the necessary resources, such as
trained staff and medication, to treat mental disorders (WHO, 2020) effectively.

Public Health Interventions

 increasing funding for mental health research and services,

The role of government, healthcare providers, and communities is vital in addressing the mental
health crisis. Governments can play a significant part in funding mental health research and
services, implementing policies to reduce stigma and increasing access to mental health
assistance, for example, by implementing digital treatment opportunities such as telepsychiatry
to reach remote and underserved populations. Another way to combat mental health stigma is
through education and awareness campaigns, which can help reduce the barriers that keep people
from seeking help. Increased funding for mental health services to make therapy and medication
more affordable for individuals is one key to enhancing access to mental health assistance.
Integrating mental health into general healthcare and promoting positive mental health are two
other interventions that can help enhance access to mental health assistance and support people
with mental health disorders. By providing culturally competent care and increasing the amount
of qualified mental health professionals, healthcare providers can enhance access to mental
health services. Communities can also help by providing support and resources to people
suffering from mental illnesses and reducing stigma through education and awareness
campaigns.

In conclusion, the mental health crisis is a significant global problem, with a high prevalence of
mental health disorders and a significant effect on individuals, society, and the economy. Efforts
to tackle the mental health crisis must address the critical challenges, including stigma, a lack of
resources and trained mental health professionals, and inadequate funding that prevents access to
mental health care. Improving access to mental health services, reducing stigma, and increasing
funding for mental health research and services are essential interventions to tackle the crisis.
Current approaches, such as medication and therapy, can be practical, but barriers to accessing
these services, such as a lack of funding and stigma, must be managed. Addressing these issues
can help improve the lives of millions of individuals affected by mental health disorders
worldwide.