- The Covid-19 pandemic brought a hidden endemic condition into the light: The share of people who report mental health problems has increased markedly, with the prevalence more than doubling in many countries.
- Even before Covid-19, depressive and anxiety disorders were among the 10 leading single causes for disability worldwide, with huge economic costs: In the US alone, lost earnings due to serious mental illness amount to around EUR170bn every year and the World Health Organization estimates that the global economy loses about EUR875bn per year in productivity due to depression and anxiety disorders.
- Now, as a mental health crisis of even bigger dimensions looms, a concerted, two-pronged public private approach – leveraging data-driven and more standardized diagnosis and treatment as well as strenghtening prevention – is required to alleviate the social and economic impacts – and help the patients concerned.