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Key Points

World leaders are gathering for a crucial UN meeting where mental health is a top priority. A new WHO report reveals over a billion people are now living with a mental health condition. Shockingly, only a small fraction of those with common conditions like depression receive any help. This high-level discussion aims to create better, more accessible services and tackle the stigma that prevents people from seeking care.

Key Points: UN General Assembly Focuses on Global Mental Health Crisis

  • Over one billion people now live with a mental health condition globally
  • Only 9% of people with depression receive any form of support or care
  • Stigma and cost are major barriers preventing people from accessing services
  • The meeting will focus on youth mental health and suicide prevention specifically
2 min read

Mental health to remain focus of UN's high-level meeting

World leaders convene at the UN to address the mental health crisis affecting over one billion people, aiming for better access and reduced stigma.

"“This is the first time that we can report more than one billion people have a mental health condition.” - Dr. Devora Kestel, WHO"

New Delhi, Sep 25

World leaders are expected to deliberate on mental health care at a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on Thursday.

The Fourth UN High-level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) marks a unique, decennial opportunity to adopt a new, ambitious, and achievable political declaration on NCDs and mental health conditions towards 2030 and beyond.

“This is the first time that we can report more than one billion people have a mental health condition,” Dr. Devora Kestel, Director ad interim of NCDs and Mental Health/NMH at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“Only nine per cent of people with depression, the most common mental health condition, receive support. Only 40 per cent of people with psychosis receive help. This means that countries need to come up with more and better ways to develop services to make sure that care is available and easy to access,” Kestel added.

Even where services do exist, mental health is often inaccessible due to costs, distance, or lack of integration with other health support.

Stigma is also a significant factor dissuading those living with mental health issues from seeking help.

In addition to mental health, the event will also emphasise the prevention and control of other NCDs, which remain the leading causes of death and disability worldwide.

For many people with NCDs like cardiovascular illnesses, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, physical and mental conditions overlap.

“Member States have decided to emphasise some issues that are common to all non-communicable diseases, but some that are very specific to mental health, like child and youth mental health, suicide prevention, and efforts to develop services at the community level,” Dr. Kestel noted.

The UN high-level meeting represents an opportunity to put mental health and NCDs firmly on the global agenda.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally global leaders are taking mental health seriously. In our country, we need to integrate mental health services with primary healthcare centers. The stigma is real - people hesitate to visit psychiatrists.
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Arjun K
Good initiative but I hope this translates to actual funding and policy changes. In India, mental healthcare is still a luxury for most people. We need affordable options and insurance coverage for therapy.
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Sarah B
The statistics are alarming - 1 billion people affected globally. We need workplace mental health programs and school counseling services. Happy to see youth mental health being prioritized.
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Nikhil C
While I appreciate the UN's efforts, I'm concerned about implementation. Many such declarations remain on paper. India needs local solutions - maybe leveraging technology for tele-mental health services in rural areas.
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Meera T
This gives me hope! As someone who struggled with anxiety, I know how hard it is to find support. We need to normalize conversations about mental health in our families and communities. 💚
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David E
The connection between physical and mental health is crucial. In India, we often ignore mental aspects while treating chronic diseases. Integrated care is the way forward.

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