Roundup: 10 pct of global population suffers from mental disorder amid insufficient workforce, resources

Amid figures indicating that one in 10 people suffers from a mental health disorder worldwide, a World Health Organisation (WHO) report revealed on Tuesday that only 1 percent of the global health workforce works in this sector, meaning that globally there is less than one mental health worker per 10,000 people.

While underlining the prevailing inequalities in access to mental health services, WHO's Mental Health Atlas 2014 also highlights the fact that global spending remains insufficient as low and lower-middle income countries spend less than 2 U.S. dollars per capita per year on this sector.

Compared to over 50 dollars spent per person annually in high-income countries, this disparity is also evident in the unequal access to services.

Figures show that in low and lower-middle income countries, an average of five mental health beds per 100,000 people are provided, compared to 50 beds in high-income countries.

WHO also reported that similar inequalities exist for outpatient services and social support while gaps in national strategies and policies continue to exist.

According to the report, not one low-income country reported having a national suicide prevention strategy, compared to one third of high-income countries.

In terms of the global outlook of policies and laws, the report revealed that two thirds of the 194 WHO member states have a stand-alone policy or plan for mental health, and that half of the member states reported having a stand-alone mental health law.

WHO warned however that such policies are not always fully in line with international human rights agreements and that implementation is often weak.

These figures come against the backdrop of WHO's Mental Health Action Plan 2013 to 2020 whose aim is to enhance leadership and governance for mental health, provide comprehensive and effective mental health and social care services, implement strategies for mental health promotion and prevention while strengthening information systems and research.

Statistics show that one in four people are affected by a mental health disorder at some point in their lives, amid predictions which posit that depression will be the leading cause of the global disease burden by 2030.

Suicide, which is the second most common cause of death among young people, affects some 900,000 people every year worldwide, and figures show that 75 percent of those suffering from a severe mental disorder receive no treatment.

According to 2020 targets, 80 percent of countries will have developed or updated their policies or plans for mental health in line with human rights instruments, while a 20-percent increase in service coverage for severe mental disorders will be observed.

The mental health action plan will also seek to reduce suicide rates by 10 percent, ensure that 80 percent of countries routinely collect and report mental health indicators every two years, and guarantee that half the countries develop and update their mental health legislation. Endit