Full Breakdown
Global Mental-Health Burden Doubles Since 1990, New Study Finds
5/22/2026, 8:00:45 PM
Scale of the Global Mental-Health Burden
The 2023 Global Burden of Disease analysis estimates 1.2 billion people with a mental disorder, up from 599 million in 1990. Mental disorders now account for 171 million DALYs, ranking fifth (12th in 1990). Anxiety cases grew from 182 million to 470 million and major depressive disorder from 102 million to 236 million. The burden peaks among 15-19-year-olds and is higher in women (620 million cases; 92.6 million DALYs) than men (552 million; 78.6 million DALYs). DALY rates rose sharply in Australasia and Western sub-Saharan Africa.
Study Overview
The analysis draws on IHME’s Global Burden of Disease 2023. Lead author Associate Professor Damian Santomauro (University of Queensland, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research) and co-author Dr Alize Ferrari worked with University of Washington collaborators. Funding came from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Impact on Youth, Women, and Regions
The concentration of DALYs among 15-19-year-olds suggests long-term effects on education, employment and caregiving. Women’s higher prevalence reflects risk factors such as domestic violence, lower self-esteem and socioeconomic stress. Rapid DALY growth in Australasia, Western sub-Saharan Africa and other low-to-middle-income regions raises concerns about health-system capacity and economic productivity.
Official Statements & Responses
Dr Santomauro warned that, while mental disorders have been a leading cause of DALYs, data show an accelerating burden. Dr Ferrari said the high prevalence is universal across resource-rich and resource-poor settings. Professor Batterham noted raw case numbers may be inflated by population growth and diagnostic differences; age-standardised rates recommended.
Limitations & Data Gaps
The authors cite uncertainties from variable data quality, self-report measures and cultural differences in disorder definitions, which may cause overestimates. Batterham noted self-reported symptoms do not always match clinical diagnoses. Surveillance remains limited in many low-to-middle-income countries, leaving gaps in regional understanding.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Mental disorders have been a leading cause of DALYs globally for decades, but these findings show we are entering an even more concerning phase of worsening mental disorder burden,’’ he said.” — Damian Santomauro, Associate Professor, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research
- “It doesn’t matter whether you’re from a resource poor country, or a country with more health resources available, the burden is high,” — Alize Ferrari, Honorary Associate Professor, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research
- “These rising trends may reflect both the lingering effects of pandemic-related stress and longer-term structural drivers such as poverty, insecurity, abuse, violence and declining social connectedness,” — Damian Santomauro, Associate Professor, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research
- “If you're looking at the age-standardised rates, that's a better indicator of how much it's going up in terms of proportions.” — Philip Batterham, Professor, Australian National University
Next Steps
The report urges global surveillance, policy frameworks and investment in early-intervention services. Gates Foundation funding will support analysis of risk factors and prevention. Health agencies are urged to embed mental-health metrics in disease-control programs.
