The global mental-health gap
More than a billion people live with a mental-health condition, and 727,000 people died by suicide in 2021. Most never receive care.
How this affects people
Anxiety and depression are the most common conditions, affecting women disproportionately, and mental ill-health is a leading cause of long-term disability.
Services remain scarce: many countries spend a tiny share of their health budget on mental health, and stigma keeps people from seeking help.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Poverty, debt and insecurity
- 02Violence, conflict and trauma
- 03Isolation and loneliness
- 04Too few services and trained staff
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Demand outstrips services
Waiting lists and gaps in care persist in most countries.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
This preview does not accept proposals or create an account.