The Guardian
Every country in the world is facing and failing to tackle a mental health crisis, from epidemics of anxiety and depression to conditions caused by violence and trauma, according to a review by experts that estimates the rising cost will hit $16tn (£12tn) by 2030.
A team of 28 global experts* assembled by the Lancet medical journal says there is a “collective failure to respond to this global health crisis” which “results in monumental loss of human capabilities and avoidable suffering.”
The burden of mental ill-health is rising everywhere, says the Lancet Commission, in spite of advances in the understanding of the causes and options for treatment. “The quality of mental health services is routinely worse than the quality of those for physical health,” says their report, launched at a global ministerial mental health summit in London.
In addition to The Guardian, the Commission report was widely covered around the world, including by Reuters, the BBC World Service, The Telegraph and NPR - and was also featured prominently in a Lady GaGa/Dr Tedros op-ed.
A special UW and The Lancet event was held October 19 in Seattle to launch the Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health and Sustainable Development report. For more about the event, see the event agenda, video, photos, and an op-ed by Pamela Collins, Director of UW's Global Mental Health program.
*The Commission includes UW's Pamela Collins and Jürgen Unützer.