Mental health and substance use have become areas of increasing importance worldwide as they contribute to a high burden of disease as well as loss of life. Modern diagnostic categories are continually being refined to best inform ethical treatment guidelines and include a wide range of disorders such as mood disorders, psychoses, personality disorders, addictions, and neurodevelopmental disorders. A key aspect of
is focus on the crucial areas of awareness, anti-stigma campaigns, and human rights protection. In upcoming years, the mental health and psychosocial services sector will continue to develop due to ongoing concerns such as disrupted continuity of care, human rights issues, and the added challenge of the
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Mental health and loss of life
Suicidal behavior is a major public health issue connected to mental and psychosocial health and affects individuals of all ages. In most countries around the globe,
higher numbers of men die by suicide than women, however women are more likely to attempt suicide and report non-suicidal self-injury. Suicide is not the only cause of death among those suffering from mental health issues, as
eating disorders and substance use contribute to loss of life as well. This is clear in the high number of opioid deaths by accidental overdose, especially in countries such as Canada and the United States, where the
problem of opioid abuse is so serious it is referred to has an epidemic.
Global disparities in mental healthcare
Disparities between high- and low-income countries concerning mental health care remain around the world. Such disparities involve mental health governance, provision of adequate intervention and prevention services, and reliable reporting and information systems. One important factor is the healthcare workforce and human resources. Europe boasts the
highest number of mental health workers at 45 per 100,000 population, compared to the global average of 13 per 100,000 population. On the other hand,
low income countries have a median number 1.4 mental health workers per 100,000 population. Many developing countries struggle with the additional burden of insufficient financial resources, which is evident in lower
government mental health expenditures per capita.
COVID-19 pandemic’s mental health impact
COVID-19 had a major impact on mental health during the height of the pandemic with negative sequelae expected to last well into the future. The threat of infection, along with the wide range of consequences due to lockdowns and restrictions on jobs, education, and relationships, were detrimental for the mental health of many people worldwide. In the beginning months of the pandemic, a global survey of seven countries found that over half of
workers suffered from emotional exhaustion, increased daily sadness, and irritability and over two thirds of workers
reported a surge in stress levels. Moreover, healthcare employees and others working on the frontline faced intense stress throughout the pandemic as they adapted to providing essential services amidst an increased risk of infection. Many health providers turned to offering treatment using other means than in-person consultations as many mental health, neurological, and substance abuse
services faced disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic – for example, 30 percent of countries reported their critical harm reduction services were fully disrupted during summer 2020.
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