2024: Global growth in mental illness cases
2024: Global growth in mental illness cases
Aug 1, 2024
The 2024 Mental Health Report, based on a survey conducted by Ipsos for the German insurer AXA, reveals a concerning increase in mental health problems worldwide. Currently, approximately 31% of the German population, 36% of Mexicans, and 40% of Americans suffer from a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. This negative trend has intensified in most of the countries analyzed compared to 2023.
Global Trends and Generational Differences
The survey, carried out in 16 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America, shows that mental health has worsened in places such as France, Ireland, Mexico, and Turkey, with increases of up to 8%. However, the Philippines was the only country where cases decreased.
A key finding is the generational gap. Young people aged 18 to 34 are the most affected, especially in Ireland, Turkey, and the United States. Among those aged 18 to 24, 43% reported suffering from a mental illness, with depression and anxiety being the most common. In contrast, the incidence decreases among older adults: only 14% of people aged 65 to 75 reported mental health problems.
Gender Gap and Diagnosis
The study also highlights a gender difference: women report more mental health problems than men, particularly at younger ages. There are also differences in how people receive a diagnosis. In Germany, 57% of cases were diagnosed by mental health professionals, while 16% self-diagnosed. In other countries, self-diagnosis is even more frequent, with 60% in the Philippines and 36% in Turkey.
Importance of Professional Treatment
The report stresses the importance of professional help in the treatment of mental illnesses. In Germany, 57% of those who sought assistance recovered. However, there is still a treatment gap, as 24% of Germans and 25% of Japanese people do not seek help. The German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics, and Neurology (DGPPN) warns that mental illnesses are among the leading causes of years of healthy life lost, reducing life expectancy by up to 10 years.
The 2024 Mental Health Report, based on a survey conducted by Ipsos for the German insurer AXA, reveals a concerning increase in mental health problems worldwide. Currently, approximately 31% of the German population, 36% of Mexicans, and 40% of Americans suffer from a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. This negative trend has intensified in most of the countries analyzed compared to 2023.
Global Trends and Generational Differences
The survey, carried out in 16 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America, shows that mental health has worsened in places such as France, Ireland, Mexico, and Turkey, with increases of up to 8%. However, the Philippines was the only country where cases decreased.
A key finding is the generational gap. Young people aged 18 to 34 are the most affected, especially in Ireland, Turkey, and the United States. Among those aged 18 to 24, 43% reported suffering from a mental illness, with depression and anxiety being the most common. In contrast, the incidence decreases among older adults: only 14% of people aged 65 to 75 reported mental health problems.
Gender Gap and Diagnosis
The study also highlights a gender difference: women report more mental health problems than men, particularly at younger ages. There are also differences in how people receive a diagnosis. In Germany, 57% of cases were diagnosed by mental health professionals, while 16% self-diagnosed. In other countries, self-diagnosis is even more frequent, with 60% in the Philippines and 36% in Turkey.
Importance of Professional Treatment
The report stresses the importance of professional help in the treatment of mental illnesses. In Germany, 57% of those who sought assistance recovered. However, there is still a treatment gap, as 24% of Germans and 25% of Japanese people do not seek help. The German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics, and Neurology (DGPPN) warns that mental illnesses are among the leading causes of years of healthy life lost, reducing life expectancy by up to 10 years.
The 2024 Mental Health Report, based on a survey conducted by Ipsos for the German insurer AXA, reveals a concerning increase in mental health problems worldwide. Currently, approximately 31% of the German population, 36% of Mexicans, and 40% of Americans suffer from a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. This negative trend has intensified in most of the countries analyzed compared to 2023.
Global Trends and Generational Differences
The survey, carried out in 16 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America, shows that mental health has worsened in places such as France, Ireland, Mexico, and Turkey, with increases of up to 8%. However, the Philippines was the only country where cases decreased.
A key finding is the generational gap. Young people aged 18 to 34 are the most affected, especially in Ireland, Turkey, and the United States. Among those aged 18 to 24, 43% reported suffering from a mental illness, with depression and anxiety being the most common. In contrast, the incidence decreases among older adults: only 14% of people aged 65 to 75 reported mental health problems.
Gender Gap and Diagnosis
The study also highlights a gender difference: women report more mental health problems than men, particularly at younger ages. There are also differences in how people receive a diagnosis. In Germany, 57% of cases were diagnosed by mental health professionals, while 16% self-diagnosed. In other countries, self-diagnosis is even more frequent, with 60% in the Philippines and 36% in Turkey.
Importance of Professional Treatment
The report stresses the importance of professional help in the treatment of mental illnesses. In Germany, 57% of those who sought assistance recovered. However, there is still a treatment gap, as 24% of Germans and 25% of Japanese people do not seek help. The German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics, and Neurology (DGPPN) warns that mental illnesses are among the leading causes of years of healthy life lost, reducing life expectancy by up to 10 years.
The 2024 Mental Health Report, based on a survey conducted by Ipsos for the German insurer AXA, reveals a concerning increase in mental health problems worldwide. Currently, approximately 31% of the German population, 36% of Mexicans, and 40% of Americans suffer from a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. This negative trend has intensified in most of the countries analyzed compared to 2023.
Global Trends and Generational Differences
The survey, carried out in 16 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America, shows that mental health has worsened in places such as France, Ireland, Mexico, and Turkey, with increases of up to 8%. However, the Philippines was the only country where cases decreased.
A key finding is the generational gap. Young people aged 18 to 34 are the most affected, especially in Ireland, Turkey, and the United States. Among those aged 18 to 24, 43% reported suffering from a mental illness, with depression and anxiety being the most common. In contrast, the incidence decreases among older adults: only 14% of people aged 65 to 75 reported mental health problems.
Gender Gap and Diagnosis
The study also highlights a gender difference: women report more mental health problems than men, particularly at younger ages. There are also differences in how people receive a diagnosis. In Germany, 57% of cases were diagnosed by mental health professionals, while 16% self-diagnosed. In other countries, self-diagnosis is even more frequent, with 60% in the Philippines and 36% in Turkey.
Importance of Professional Treatment
The report stresses the importance of professional help in the treatment of mental illnesses. In Germany, 57% of those who sought assistance recovered. However, there is still a treatment gap, as 24% of Germans and 25% of Japanese people do not seek help. The German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics, and Neurology (DGPPN) warns that mental illnesses are among the leading causes of years of healthy life lost, reducing life expectancy by up to 10 years.