The World Health Organization today released its largest review of world mental health since the turn of the century. The detailed work provides a blueprint for governments, academics, health professionals, civil society and others with an ambition to support the world in transforming mental health.
In 2019, nearly a billion people – including 14% of the world’s adolescents – were living with a mental disorder. Suicide accounted for more than 1 in 100 deaths, and 58% of suicides occurred before age 50. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability, causing 1 in 6 years lived with disability. People with severe mental health conditions die on average 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population, mostly due to preventable physical diseases. Child bullying victimization are major causes of depression. Social and economic inequalities, public health emergencies, war, and the climate crisis are among the global, structural threats to mental health. Depression and anxiety went up by more than 25% in the first year of the pandemic alone.
Stigma, discrimination and human rights violations against people with mental health conditions are widespread in communities and care systems everywhere; 20 countries still criminalize attempted suicide. Across countries, it is the poorest and most disadvantaged in society who are at greatest risk of mental ill-health and who are also the least likely to receive adequate services.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, just a small fraction of people in need had access to effective, affordable and quality mental health care. For example, 71% of those with psychosis worldwide do not receive mental health services. While 70% of people with psychosis are reported to be treated in high-income countries, only 12% of people with psychosis receive mental health care in low-income countries. For depression, the gaps in service coverage are wide across all countries: even in high-income countries, only one third of people with depression receive formal mental health care and minimally-adequate treatment for depression is estimated to range from 23% in high-income countries to 3% in low- and lower-middle-income countries.
Drawing on the latest evidence available, showcasing examples of good practice, and voicing people’s lived experience, WHO’s comprehensive report highlights.“We will implement this innovative technology within our healthcare delivery model. However, to effectively use this cutting-edge technology, it would be important for us to identify the channels and platforms customers are using, the support they require and how it can serve an unmet need,” said Vineet Agarwal, CIO, Paras Healthcare.
“Metaverse can help healthcare companies augment their Digital Roadmaps by bringing a more personalised care to its patients and where the patients are. Additionally, with help of augmented reality and virtual reality, brands can reach out to healthcare professionals across the world. Together, also they can create new channels to deliver care that can significantly lower costs and improve patient outcomes,” he said.
According to InsightAce Analytic, the global metaverse healthcare market was valued at $5.06 billion in 2021, and is expected to reach $71.97 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 34.8 per cent during the forecast period.
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