Mental health care: from declarations to action

In 2023, 15% of the world’s population had mental health disorders, with depressive and anxiety disorders being some of the most burdensome. Estimates suggest that if optimal treatments were available, 71% of the global anxiety disorder burden could be avoided. To address this access gap, integration of mental health care into primary care services is widely supported. In September, 2025, world leaders expressed support for the UN global political declaration on non-communicable diseases and mental health, recognising the need to shift mental health care and resources from specialised institutions to services delivered in the community; scale-up the accessibility, availability, and provision of psychosocial and psychological support and of pharmacological treatment; and increase the number, capacity, retention, and skills of health-care workers.