Mental health research

This page is reference information compiled from the cited sources. It is not medical advice. For any decision about health, diagnosis or care, consult a qualified professional.

What it is

Global mental health is the area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving mental health and achieving equity in mental health for all people worldwide. The field focuses on improving the prevention, care, and treatment of mental health disorders globally, along with improving the quality of life for those living with such disorders. This is often with an emphasis on those living in resource-limited settings with less access to mental health treatment. The overall aim of the field is to strengthen mental health all over the world by providing information about the mental health situation in all countries, as well as identifying mental health care needs in order to develop cost-effective interventions to meet those specific needs. In recent years, there has been an emphasis on creating community-based, scalable, and sustainable interventions.

Key facts

Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders make a substantial contribution to the global burden of disease. Neuropsychiatric conditions account for 14% of the global burden of disease and, among non-communicable diseases, they account for 28% of disability-adjusted life years, which is more than cardiovascular disease or cancer. Around the world, almost one million people die due to suicide every year, and it is the third leading cause of death among young people. The most important causes of disability due to health-related conditions worldwide include unipolar depression, alcoholism, schizophrenia, bipolar depression and dementia. In low- and middle-income countries, these conditions represent a total of 19.1% of all disability-related health conditions. According to one analysis, countries with high income inequality and poor unemployment protections have worse mental health outcomes among the unemployed.

When to seek professional help

The source text associates professional care with situations involving mental health disorders. It describes a need for professional care for those living with mental health disorders, particularly where such disorders contribute to disability. The source indicates professional care is associated with conditions like unipolar depression, alcoholism, schizophrenia, bipolar depression, and dementia. It links professional care to the effects of physical diseases, noting that diseases like HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and malaria often have lasting psychological effects on victims, such as extreme anxiety, struggles with grief, depression leading to suicide, and PTSD. The text associates seeking help with situations where mental instability contributes to years lost to disability or where suicide is a risk. It notes that in some regions, many of the mentally ill search for help from available professionals due to the effects of conditions like warfare or psychological disorders.

Source: Global mental health (CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikipedia)), retrieved 2026-10-06.