The latest Mental State of the World Report reveals an enduring deterioration in global mental health post-COVID-19, with affluent nations and younger demographics bearing the brunt. Some of the contributing factors include high smartphone use, unhealthy diets, and strained family ties. It underscores the necessity of comprehensive approaches to mental health, that address societal, economic, and personal factors.
The 4th Annual Mental State of the World Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the mental health of the global population with a focus on key trends observed between 2019 and 2023. The report highlights a decline in mental well-being since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and notes that this decline has become normalized and shows no signs of recovery to pre-pandemic levels. The report used the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) assessment to collect data from over 500,000 respondents across 71 countries, covering 9 regions and 13 languages to measure mental well-being.
Key Findings:
- Mental well-being remained static across the world, with no improvement towards pre-pandemic levels, suggesting a lasting impact of the pandemic and lifestyle shifts.
- Latin American and African countries ranked higher in mental wellbeing, while wealthier Core Anglosphere countries ranked lower, indicating that national wealth is negatively correlated with mental wellbeing.
- Younger generations, especially those under age 35, experienced the steepest declines in mental well-being during the pandemic, a trend that persists across all age groups.
- Factors contributing to lower mental well-being in wealthier countries include younger ages of first smartphone ownership, high consumption of ultra-processed food, and diminished family relationships.
According to the 4th Annual Mental State of the World Report, the Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania are the top three countries with the highest MHQ scores. On the other hand, Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan ranked at the bottom. Interestingly, the report found a significant negative correlation between per capita GDP and average mental well-being scores, which challenges the perception that greater wealth enhances well-being.
The findings of this report highlight the interplay between mental health, societal factors, and the COVID-19 pandemic. It challenges policymakers, health professionals, and the global community to rethink strategies for improving mental health. The report emphasizes the need for holistic approaches that consider economic, social, and individual factors.
The report concludes that it is crucial to comprehend the factors that influence collective mental well-being to create plans for enhancing it. Additionally, the report emphasizes the requirement for better governance of the population’s mental well-being through social policies and interventions based on evidence. The findings urge for a reevaluation of how wealth and economic progress affect mental well-being and advocate for a comprehensive approach to prosperity that is aligned with human well-being.
