According to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organization (WHO), during the first year of the pandemic, anxiety and depression worldwide rose by a startling 25%. According to the report, young people were among the people hit hardest by the pandemic, a group “disproportionately at risk of suicidal and self-harming behaviors.”

Although there is no link between mental illness and contracting COVID-19, data also showed that people struggling with mental health issues were “more likely to suffer hospitalization, severe illness, and death compared with people without mental disorders.”

In response, WHO is urging governments to increase funding to address the mental health crisis. Dr. Kestel of WHO summarized the situation: “While the pandemic has generated interest in and concern for mental health, it has also revealed historical under-investment in mental health services. Countries must act urgently to ensure that mental health support is available to all.”

Read the WHO news release here.

You can read the WHO brief in its entirety here.

“COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide..” World Health Organization, 2 Mar 2022, https://apnews.com/article/health-california-education-mental-health-distance-learning-7d6c8b93794d2522e5807ca9fe2fb0cf

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