Mental Health
A growing number of individuals worldwide are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, or acute stress - especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are not enough psychiatrists, psychologists, and physicians to cater to the growing demand for mental health services. Waiting lists for specialists can span from six to 18 months. Additionally, the three most commonly used psychiatric assessment tools were validated decades ago, and are therefore not reliable to mental health assessment in the modern era. Even if treated by a professional, they do not have a systematic process for screening, assessment, or monitoring clients.
Mental Health is modern society’s ticking time bomb
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1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
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1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
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50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
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Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
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Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide
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44-70% of people with mental health illness do not receive treatment
Mental Health problem is a worldwide bomb, especially with the pandemic in the past few years.
The Impact of Mental Health problem
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US expenditures on mental health care in 2019: $225 billion
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Massive loss of income due to unemployment, social support costs, incarceration, and range of indirect costs due to chronic disability
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Lost productivity as a result of two of the most common mental disorders, anxiety and depression, costs the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year.
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In total, poor mental health estimated to cost the world economy $2·5 trillion per year in poor health and reduced productivity in 2010, a cost projected to rise to $6 trillion by 2030.
However, there are barriers for patients to have medical care. These include:
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Financial Costs
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Lack of Mental Health Professionals
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Education and Awareness
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Social Stigma