- May 23, 2026
Mental Health Disorders Have Doubled In 33 Year With Over 1.2 Billion People Living With It Worldwide
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One of the most striking findings from the report is that adolescents aged 15 to 19 were among the most affected groups globally.
The study found that mental disorders accounted for 171 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally in 2023, making them one of the leading contributors to disability worldwide.
From rising anxiety among teenagers and emotional burnout in working adults to increasing loneliness among older populations, the world is experiencing what many mental health experts are now calling a psychological crisis unfolding in slow motion. According to a major new study published in The Lancet, nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide were living with mental disorders in 2023, with the global burden of these conditions almost doubling over the last 33 years.
In 2023, nearly 1.2 billion individuals were affected — a staggering 95.5% increase since 1990. This dramatic rise, revealed through the Global Burden of Diseases study, marks one of the most significant shifts in human health of our lifetime.
What makes these figures particularly alarming is not just the sheer scale, but who is being impacted most. For the first time, the highest burden of mental disorders is falling on people aged 15 to 39, with teenagers aged 15 to 19 bearing the heaviest load. Anxiety and depression continue to dominate, driving much of this surge, while conditions such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders have also shown concerning increases.
What Is Driving A Surge In Mental Health Conditions?
The sharpest rise has been seen in anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder, both of which are now among the most common mental health conditions globally. Researchers found that anxiety disorders increased dramatically over the past three decades, while depression also saw a substantial rise.
The study tracked 12 mental disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, eating disorders, and others. While all showed rises, the burden has shifted noticeably younger. For the first time in the history of this major global study, the peak impact is now falling on people aged 15 to 39, with the highest rates among those aged 15 to 19.
Dr Damian Santomauro, lead author from the University of Queensland, admitted he was “honestly shocked at the magnitude” of the findings. The data suggests we are entering a more concerning phase of worsening mental disorder burden globally.
A combination of long-term structural and social factors including poverty, violence, abuse, inequality, economic insecurity, loneliness and global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, many psychologists also note that modern lifestyles themselves may be intensifying emotional strain. Hyperconnectivity, digital fatigue, social comparison, unstable work environments and reduced real-life community support are quietly reshaping emotional wellbeing worldwide.
Are Young People Carrying More Emotional Burden?
One of the most striking findings from the report is that adolescents aged 15 to 19 were among the most affected groups globally. This raises uncomfortable but necessary questions.
Are young people emotionally overwhelmed earlier than previous generations? Has constant exposure to social media, performance pressure and uncertainty altered how adolescents experience stress and self-worth?
Mental health professionals increasingly warn that emotional distress among teenagers is often dismissed as “normal growing pains” until it escalates into chronic anxiety, depression or emotional withdrawal. The study also found women were disproportionately affected, with approximately 620 million women worldwide living with mental disorders compared to 552 million men.
Researchers linked this partly to factors such as gender-based violence, body image pressures, discrimination and unequal emotional burdens.
Why Mental Illness Is A Leading Cause Of Disability
The study found that mental disorders accounted for 171 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally in 2023, making them one of the leading contributors to disability worldwide.
That includes difficulty maintaining relationships, concentrating at work, managing routines, regulating emotions or even getting through ordinary daily life.
How to Keep Your Mental Health in Check
Keeping your mental health in check often begins with small, consistent habits rather than dramatic lifestyle changes. Emotional wellbeing needs daily attention, much like physical health. Here are practical ways to stay balanced:
- Prioritise quality sleep and maintain a regular routine
- Stay physically active, even if it is just a daily walk
- Limit doomscrolling and excessive social media exposure
- Talk openly about stress instead of suppressing emotions
- Stay connected with supportive friends and family
- Practice mindfulness, journalling or deep breathing exercises
- Take regular breaks from work and digital screens
- Seek professional help when emotional distress feels overwhelming
Small, consistent habits can make a big difference- stop treating rest, boundaries and emotional care as luxuries and check in with yourself regularly.
