Nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide are living with mental disorders. The number has been growing

Nearly 1.2 billion people globally lived with mental disorders in 2023, reflecting a 95.5% rise since 1990, according to a study published in *The Lancet*. The research, led by Dr. Damian Santomauro of the University of Queensland, identified anxiety and depression as the most common disorders, with increases of 158% and 131%, respectively, since 1990. Twelve disorders were analyzed, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder, with anxiety and depression remaining elevated post-COVID-19. The study examined trends across 204 countries, revealing disparities by age, sex, and socioeconomic factors. Females were more affected by most disorders, while males had higher rates of autism, conduct disorders, ADHD, and unexplained intellectual disabilities. Researchers noted that while data adjustments addressed underreporting, the figures remain the most comprehensive global estimates available. The analysis, part of the 2023 Global Burden of Diseases Study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, highlighted worsening mental health burdens worldwide. Santomauro described the scale as shocking, emphasizing the need for global leadership to tackle underlying risk factors. Paul Bolton, a senior scientist at Johns Hopkins, cautioned that despite adjustments, the accuracy of these estimates remains uncertain due to persistent underreporting issues. The study also suggested that pre-pandemic trends in anxiety and depression worsened during and after COVID-19, with depression rates failing to return to pre-pandemic levels. The findings underscore the growing crisis in mental health, calling for urgent collective action to mitigate rising global burdens.