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Over 1 Million People on NHS Waiting List for Mental Healthcare

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Over 1 Million People on NHS Waiting List for Mental Healthcare

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In this article I learned that more than 1 million people have been weeks or months for treatment for conditions like anxiety and depression. This taught me that even those have the opportunities to get aid for mental health still experience obstacles that can be simply solved.

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Cutting waiting lists for mental healthcare would save money – and people’s jobs

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A lack of treatment brings significant financial costs.

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When it comes to progress in low-income countries it's very slow, with the African Region being the most effected. While this broadens the issue, it does show why there are very little psychiatrists throughout West Africa.

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Shortage of Psychiatrists in Bangladesh 

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Shortage of Psychiatrists in Bangladesh 

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This is another example of country in West Africa having a shortage of psychiatrists. Bangladesh has a population of 173 million people, there are only 270 psychiatrists.

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Community-Based Mental Health Services in Bangladesh:... : World Social Psychiatry

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t mental health disorders. In the face of growing mental health problems, limited resources, and centralized mental health facilities, Bangladesh – a low- and middle-income country – has prospects in ensuring mental health care through the implementation of community-based mental health services across the country. This article discusses the opportunities and challenges in implementing community-based mental health services in Bangladesh.…

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West Africa has a Shortage of Mental Health Professionals

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West Africa has a Shortage of Mental Health Professionals

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This article taught me that not every country gets the resources needed to care for peoples mental health

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In West Africa, hairdressers are on the front line, helping clients with mental health problems

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Over 150 hairdressers in Togo, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire have benefited from a short educational course set up by the NGO Bluemind Foundation. The aim is to become ‘the first link in the care chain’ in a region where therapists are sorely lacking.

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I believe in the well being of others and how being healthy is ensuring good mental, emotional, and physical health.

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Mental Health Receives Less Funding,  Attention and Integration

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Mental Health Receives Less Funding,  Attention and Integration

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One fact that I found interesting on the SDG Website was that, "By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being"

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Achieving global health goals faces significant challenges, with progress slowing since 2015 in areas like maternal mortality, premature deaths from major noncommunicable diseases, and access to essential healthcare. Inequalities persist, especially among vulnerable populations, exacerbated by the climate crisis. To meet the SDG 3 targets by 2030, substantial investment and focus are needed to address these challenges, including tackling inequality and environmental factors. Urgent action is required to protect vulnerable groups and regions with high disease burdens.

Target 3.1: The global maternal mortality ratio marginally declined from 227 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015 to 223 in 2020. Reaching the global maternal mortality rate target of 70 per 100,00 live births will require an annual rate of reduction of 11.6% between 2021 and 2030. Two regions, subSaharan Africa and Southern Asia, accounted for around 87% (249,000) of the estimated global maternal deaths in 2020. Globally, skilled birth attendance rose from 80% in 2015 to 86% in 2023. There are, however, significant regional disparities, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where the rate was just 73% in 2023.

Target 3.2: In 2022, global under-five deaths was 4.9 million, down from 9.9 million in 2000 and 6.0 million in 2015. The under-five mortality rate fell to 37 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022-51% lower than in 2000 and a 14% decline since 2015. Similarly, the global neonatal mortality rate fell to 17 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, a 44% and 12% decrease from the 2000 and 2015 levels, respectively.

Target 3.3: Mixed progress is observed towards the SDG target of ending communicable diseases a). There were an estimated 1.3 million new HIV infections in 2022, 27% fewer than in 2015, and 38% fewer than in 2010. Increased access to HIV treatment has averted almost 20.8 million AIDS-related deaths in the past three decades. b). The reported global number of people newly diagnosed with TB was 7.5 million in 2022, the highest since 1995. On the other hand, the annual number of people who died from TB decreased in 2022 after two consecutive years of increase due to COVID-19 pandemic. c). In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases globally, exceeding the pre-pandemic level of 233 million in 2019. d). In 2022, 1.62 billion people required interventions and care for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), a 26.1% of decline from 2010. As of December 2023, 50 countries, territories and areas have eliminated at least one NTD.

Target 3.5: Global drug-related treatment coverage has decreased from approximately 11% in 2015 to under 9% in 2022. Alarmingly, treatment coverage for women consistently lags behind that for men across all regions. In 2022, over 13% of men with drug use disorders received treatment globally, while less than 6% of women did. Moreover, data on treatment coverage for alcohol use disorders vary widely, ranging from a mere 0.3% to a maximum of 14% in reporting countries.

Target 3.7: The proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods increased slightly from 76.5% to 77.6% between 2015 and 2024. This corresponds to an increase of 75 million women of reproductive age using modern methods since 2015. The adolescent birth rate has globally declined from 47.2 births per 1,000 girls and women aged 15 to 19 years in 2015 to 40.7 in 2024.

Target 3.8: The proportion of the population not covered by essential health services decreased by about 15% between 2000 and 2021, with minimal progress made after 2015. In 2021, about four and a half billion people were not covered by essential health services.

Target 3.a: In 2022, the global prevalence of current tobacco use among the population aged 15+ was estimated at 20.9%. This translates to around 1.25 billion adult tobacco users in the world. The prevalence has declined since 2015 when it was 23.9%, and the number of users has decreased by 50 million.

Target 3.b: Coverage of the third dose of vaccine protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP-3) recovered to 84% in 2022, an improvement from 81% in 2021 but still below the 2019 level of 86%. In 2022, 20.5 million children remained vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. The current 2-dose measles vaccine coverage of 74% is insufficient to prevent outbreaks. HPV vaccine declined significantly during the pandemic, but 2022 saw the first encouraging signs of recovery in vaccination with 15% full scheduled coverage among girls.

Target 3.c: While a recent study shows that the projected global shortage of health workers by 2030 has reduced from 18 million to 10 million, the aging of the population induces an increased health need and further widens this gap. An additional 1.8 million health workers are needed in fifty-four countries (mostly from high-income countries) just to maintain the current age-standardized density of health workers.

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Goal 3 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs

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Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

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1 in 3 People from Somalia Suffer from a Mental Illness 

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1 in 3 People from Somalia Suffer from a Mental Illness 

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In this article I learned that one in three people from Somalia Suffer from a mental illness, making it one of the countries with the highest rate of mental illness in low-income countries. This shocked me and taught me that so many people in just one country can suffer with no aid

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Prevalence of mental disorders and psychological trauma among conflict- affected population in Somalia: a cross-sectional study

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Despite the longstanding psychosocial impact of the interactable conflict in Somalia for the last 30 years, there is lack of epidemiological studies of mental health conditions, especially at the population level. The aim of this study is to fill…

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In this video, Glenn Close talks about breaking the stigma of mental illness. She does by sharing stories, being compassionate, etc. This showed me that people are trying different ways to express and raise awareness of mental health

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My mission to change the narrative of mental health

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Legendary actor and mental health advocate Glenn Close is on a quest to change how we think about mental health, starting with her decision to speak out about her own family’s struggles — a brave choice considering the stigma that pervades the topic. In a sweeping conversation with TEDWomen curator Pat Mitchell, Close shares the inspiration behind the advocacy group she founded to combat the crisis, underscoring the transformative power of community and the critical need for comprehensive mental health care systems.

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Where is Mental Health Getting the Least Attention Globally?

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Where is Mental Health Getting the Least Attention Globally?

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Countries with the lowest rate of mental health are in lower-income countries in South Asia. This made me realize the little effort that has been put in tackling mental health.

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The Most Depressed Countries in the World

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Depression affects about 280 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

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Report of Lifetime Anxiety or Depression in 2020

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Report of Lifetime Anxiety or Depression in 2020

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This chart was made by asking respondents if they had ever been so anxious or depressed that they could not continue their daily activities as they normally would for two weeks or longer? I found it interesting that first world countries had large percentages when came to this report

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Share who report lifetime anxiety or depression

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Respondents were asked 'Have you ever been so anxious or depressed that you could not continue your regular daily activities as you normally would for two weeks or longer?'

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How to Manage Your Mental Health-TED Talk

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How to Manage Your Mental Health-TED Talk

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This TED Talk gives tips on how to manage mental health through physical activity and incorporating into daily life. This taught me one way on how people take care of their mental health

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How to manage your mental health | Leon Taylor | TEDxClapham

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According to the World Health Organization, "Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community"

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In recent years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the important role mental health plays in achieving global development goals, as illustrated by the inclusion of mental health in the Sustainable Development Goals. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. People with severe mental health conditions die prematurely - as much as two decades early - due to preventable physical conditions.

Despite progress in some countries, people with mental health conditions often experience severe human rights violations, discrimination, and stigma.

Many mental health conditions can be effectively treated at relatively low cost, yet the gap between people needing care and those with access to care remains substantial. Effective treatment coverage remains extremely low.

Increased investment is required on all fronts: for mental health awareness to increase understanding and reduce stigma; for efforts to increase access to quality mental health care and effective treatments; and for research to identify new treatments and improve existing treatments for all mental disorders. In 2019, WHO launched the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (2019-2023): Universal Health Coverage for Mental Health to ensure access to quality and affordable care for mental health conditions in 12 priority countries to 100 million more people.

In 2022, WHO launched the World Mental Health Report: Transforming Mental health for All.

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In this article it estimated 1 in 4 people around the world suffer from a mental health condition, and a with a treatment gap of up to 90% in some countries. This made me realize how many people suffer from mental health and how hard it is to get treatment for it

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87.5 people per 100,000 Commit Suicide Per Year in Lesotho

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87.5 people per 100,000 Commit Suicide Per Year in Lesotho

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According to BBC, the World Health Organization said that 87.5 people per 100,000 take their life a year in Lesotho. This is ten times the global average. This made me realize how some countries don't have the resources necessary to manage mental health issues

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Lesotho: The small African country with the world’s highest suicide rate

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A look at Lesotho, where more people take their own lives than anywhere else in the world.

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Nigeria has an Inadequacy of Mental Health Care Services in Nigeria

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Nigeria has an Inadequacy of Mental Health Care Services in Nigeria

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In Nigeria, there is a shortage of psychiatrists within the country, with only 250 practicing psychiatrists. This taught me that with Nigeria having a population of 200 million, that means almost no one receives care for their mental well-being

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Mental health challenges in Nigeria: Bridging the gap between demand and resources

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This study discusses the significant topic of mental health challenges in Nigeria, focusing on the shortage of mental health professionals, particularly psychiatrists, and the factors influencing medical students’ hesitation to pursue psychiatry as…

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There is Only Three Psychiatric Hospitals in Ghana

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There is Only Three Psychiatric Hospitals in Ghana

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According to The Hospitalist, there are only three psychiatric hospitals. Them being the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Navrongo War Memorial Hospital, and the Ankaful Hospital. This showed me the little resources that countries like Ghana have for managing mental health

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A reflection on Ghana’s mental health system | MDedge

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Mental Health Clinics are Rare and Endangered in South Sudan  

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Mental Health Clinics are Rare and Endangered in South Sudan  

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In this article it talks about how one of the mental health clinics in South Sudan are at risk of closing due to funding expiring. This showed me that even places with mental health aid aren't always sustained or receiving the care needed

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Mental health clinics in violence-prone South Sudan are rare and endangered

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Joy Falatiya says she fell apart after her husband kicked her and five children out of their home in South Sudan in March 2024.

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While the issue of inadequate aid for mental health is global, I want to focus on how it is being handled in West Africa

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Countries with the Lowest Depression Rates 

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Countries with the Lowest Depression Rates 

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In this article it gave me a list of countries with the lowest depression rates and some of them being Greenland, Greece, Tunisia, Portugal, and Lithuania. This surprised me since first world countries like Greece still experience issues like depression even with all there resources

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In this article, we will be taking a look at the 30 countries with the lowest depression rates. If you do not want to learn about the global depression treatment market, head straight to the 5 Countries with the Lowest Depression Rates.

In countries with the lowest depression rates, individuals experience lower prevalence rates of depression, suggesting a combination of effective support systems, accessible mental health services, and cultural norms that prioritize emotional well-being. Understanding the strategies employed by these countries can provide valuable lessons for policymakers and healthcare professionals worldwide aiming to mitigate the burden of depression within their own populations.

The global depression treatment market has witnessed significant growth, with projections indicating substantial expansion in the coming years. In 2022, the market was valued at over USD 10.1 billion and is expected to reach USD 16.8 billion by 2032, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. Major depression episodes are prevalent worldwide, contributing significantly to the market's growth, with major depression holding a revenue share of 53.5% in 2021. The USA Department of Health and Human Services reported that in 2020, around 17% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 experienced a major depressive episode, highlighting the substantial impact of depression on the population.

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately of individuals worldwide suffer from some form of depression, making it one of the most common disabilities globally. Rising mental health awareness and government initiatives are expected to drive market growth as access to mental health services improves globally.

Various factors contribute to depression in the US, including stressful situations, loneliness, alcoholism, drug misuse, family history, traumatic childhood experiences, and more. Lack of access to mental health services is a significant issue in low- and middle-income countries, with around 75% of the population lacking access to such services.

The North American region emerged as a significant market for depression treatment in 2022, with a market revenue share of . Asia Pacific is expected to be a rapidly growing region for depression treatment due to increased healthcare infrastructure spending and the rising prevalence of depression among young adults. Major depression accounted for around 42% of the market share in 2022, making it one of the dominant segments in the industry. Antidepressants were the leading segment in terms of products, accounting for over 99.4% of the demand share in 2021.

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30 Countries with the Lowest Depression Rates

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In this article, we will be taking a look at the 30 countries with the lowest depression rates. If you do not want to learn about the global depression treatment market, head straight to the 5 Countries with the Lowest Depression Rates. In countries with the lowest depression rates, individuals experience lower prevalence rates of [...]

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What the underlying factors, like funding, education, or government policy, are the affect of why some countries end up with serious shortages of psychiatrists, and how does it shape access to mental health care to the overall world?

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What the underlying factors, like funding, education, or government policy, are the affect of why some countries end up with serious shortages of psychiatrists, and how does it shape access to mental health care overall?

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I have grown curious in West Africa on the shortage of psychiatrists, specifically in Nigeria. This is since its one of the countries with the lowest amount of psychiatrists and makes me want to see if there are any solutions.

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Nigerian professionals pushed for and integrated mental health into Primary Health Care and mainstream services. This can help spread awareness of mental health

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Funding, stigma, brain-drain biggest obstacles to mental health care in Nigeria — Dr Olufemi Oluwatayo

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The World Health Organization, WHO has continuously stressed that mental health, is everyone’s business for the past three years through the World Mental Health Day themes.

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In this article mental health professionals try a new approach known as task-sharing. This approach gets secondary health centers to help with smaller cases, allowing primary health practitioners focus on larger cases

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Short of mental health professionals, Nigeria tries a new approach

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Nigeria’s mental health care system needs an overhaul. But with patients requiring immediate help, some areas are trying out a short-term fix with an approach known as task-sharing.

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Another way to receive treatment for mental health is mental health apps like Athari. This helps combat the shortage of psychiatrists

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Mental Health Advocate Tackles Nigeria’s Psychiatrist Shortage with New App, Athari - THISDAYLIVE

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Vanessa Obioha A mental health advocate based in the U.K., Tsitsi Natasha is addressing the shortage and inaccessibility of psychiatrists in Nigeria through her recently launched mental health app Athari.

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How have alternative solutions to the psychiatrist shortage in Nigeria like, "using community health workers or traditional healers", changed the ways of how people are able to understand and talk about mental health?

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I think I want to research the shortage of psychiatrists which must be addressed to reach SDG GOAL: 3. I will focus on Nigeria and ways to combat this issue or substitutes to it. I want to research this because I am interested on how some countries like Nigeria don't get the simple, necessary necessities for mental health