Nearly 1bn people face mental health disorders, says WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised urgent concern over a global mental health crisis, warning that nearly one billion people are currently living with mental health conditions and calling on governments to take bold, coordinated action.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivered the stark warning ahead of the High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health, set to take place at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 25, 2025.

“Noncommunicable diseases include seven of the world’s top 10 causes of death. In addition, almost 1 billion people face mental health conditions,” Dr. Tedros stated.

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

Highlighting the deep link between mental health and economic stability, the WHO chief noted that suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death among young people worldwide. Globally, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds, with 73% of cases recorded in low- and middle-income countries.

In Nigeria, the burden is evident: as of January 2024, the suicide mortality rate was 3.5 per 100,000 people, translating to an estimated 15,000 deaths annually.

READ ALSO: WHO flags suicide as major cause of death among young people

Over the past year, countries have been negotiating a political declaration that will be finalised during the UNGA meeting. The draft agreement sets ambitious global health targets by 2030, including:

Dr. Tedros underscored that investment in prevention is not only a moral duty but also an economic imperative. “Investing in NCD prevention is not a cost,” he stressed. “It’s one of the smartest economic decisions any government can make. But often, governments face fierce opposition from industries that profit from unhealthy products.”

The WHO cautioned that without urgent action, the combined impact of NCDs and mental health conditions could result in millions of preventable deaths while imposing a severe strain on global economies.

Analysts say that inaction could hinder productivity, drive up healthcare costs, and further entrench poverty, particularly in developing countries.

As world leaders gather in New York, the UNGA meeting is expected to determine how far governments are willing to go in combating both physical and mental health challenges. Experts insist that without meaningful commitments, the targets may remain aspirational.

“The world cannot afford to continue treating mental health as secondary,” said one WHO official. “It must be integrated into every national health strategy if we are to protect the next generation.”