Mental Disorders Affect 1.2 Billion Worldwide, Study Finds
United States
Yannis Behrakis/Reuters
Source Analysis
What Happened
What Happened
Where Sources Agree
- arrows_inputGlobal Mental Disorders Doubled: All outlets cite nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide are living with a mental disorder in 2023, nearly double the number in 1990, according to the Global Burden of Disease study.
- arrows_inputAnxiety, Depression Drive Increase: Coverage highlights anxiety and depression as the most common disorders and primary drivers of the recent global increase, peaking post-COVID-19, according to the Global Burden of Disease study.
- arrows_inputAdolescent Burden Peak: Coverage broadly notes that the burden of mental disorders peaks among 15-19 year-olds, marking a historical first in the Global Burden of Disease study's 2023 findings.
Where Sources Disagree
- arrows_outputMental Disorder Increase Context: Some sources report that mental disorder cases have nearly doubled since 1990, highlighting a significant global increase. However, other sources emphasize population growth as a factor, suggesting age-standardized rates offer a better proportional indicator.
- arrows_outputWomen's Mental Health Factors: The Global Burden of Disease study links women's higher mental health burden to factors like self-esteem, body shame, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and caregiving. However, other media outlets report women are disproportionately affected by mental disorders without detailing these specific contributing factors.
- arrows_outputMental Disorder Increase Causes: Some experts suggest improved detection and reduced stigma contribute to the rise in reported mental disorder cases. However, study authors emphasize the global mental disorder burden is worsening, with cases nearly doubling since 1990.
Timeline
May 22, 2026
GBD Study: Nearly 1.2 Billion: An analysis of GBD 2023 data published in The Lancet found nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide living with a mental disorder in 2023 — nearly double 1990 levels — with mental disorders the leading cause of years lived with disability (over 17% of YLDs); anxiety and depression drove the largest increases (e.g., a 158% rise in anxiety vs 1990) and adolescents (15–19) and women were disproportionately affected. The report also highlights major treatment gaps, with only about 9% receiving minimally adequate care.
December 31, 2023
Pandemic‑Era Anxiety Surge: During and since the COVID‑19 crisis, anxiety surged and peaked, remaining high through 2023, while depression increased and did not return to pre‑pandemic levels, according to the research team. The study notes the pandemic likely influenced these recent rate changes.
December 31, 2019
Pre‑pandemic Rise Recognized: Rates of anxiety, depression and some other mental disorders were already increasing before the COVID‑19 pandemic, with 2019 regional prevalence varying (e.g., Americas 15.6%, Eastern Mediterranean 14.7%, Europe 14.2%). These trends set the stage for larger rises observed after 2019.
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Timeline
May 22, 2026
GBD Study: Nearly 1.2 Billion: An analysis of GBD 2023 data published in The Lancet found nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide living with a mental disorder in 2023 — nearly double 1990 levels — with mental disorders the leading cause of years lived with disability (over 17% of YLDs); anxiety and depression drove the largest increases (e.g., a 158% rise in anxiety vs 1990) and adolescents (15–19) and women were disproportionately affected. The report also highlights major treatment gaps, with only about 9% receiving minimally adequate care.
December 31, 2023
Pandemic‑Era Anxiety Surge: During and since the COVID‑19 crisis, anxiety surged and peaked, remaining high through 2023, while depression increased and did not return to pre‑pandemic levels, according to the research team. The study notes the pandemic likely influenced these recent rate changes.
December 31, 2019
Pre‑pandemic Rise Recognized: Rates of anxiety, depression and some other mental disorders were already increasing before the COVID‑19 pandemic, with 2019 regional prevalence varying (e.g., Americas 15.6%, Eastern Mediterranean 14.7%, Europe 14.2%). These trends set the stage for larger rises observed after 2019.
