Understanding The Rising Burden Of Mental Health Disorders In Modern Society

Abstract

Mental health illness is one of the greatest public health problems of the 21st century. Depression, anxiety disorders, stress related conditions, substance abuse and psychological distress are becoming a common problem in developed and developing countries and are causing social, economic and health care problems. Rapid urbanisation, technological change, changing lifestyles, social isolation, economic insecurity, academic stresses, unemployment, family breakdown and pandemic related psychological impacts among all ages have worsened the mental health vulnerabilities. The present study concentrates on mental health disorders in the contemporary society and literature based research and analysis approach is given. The study evaluates the prevalence, the factors associated with mental illnesses, the distribution of mental illnesses among the population, the socio-economic effects and the burden of mental illness on health systems. International health reports, peer reviewed journals and public health database were used for secondary data collection and analysed using descriptive and comparative statistical techniques. Results indicate an overall increase in anxiety and depressive disorders in the past 20 years, particularly in adolescents, young adults, women and socio-economically disadvantaged individuals. The study also points to the absence of health facilities, social stigma, lack of knowledge on mental health, and the limited provision of psychiatric services as major challenges to the successful treatment. A numerical analysis is provided to show how the burden of mental disorders as DALEs, unmet treatment needs and lost productivity is increasing. The study says mental health disorders are a multi-dimensional crisis and requires comprehensive policy interventions, awareness campaigns and initiatives, digital mental health healthcare systems, early diagnosis strategies, and community based mental health support systems. International collaboration and sustainable governance of mental health is critical to reduce the burden of mental illness in the future and help improve social health. Every day, over one billion individuals around the world are afflicted with mental disorders and anxiety and depressive disorders are rising in different parts of the world.