The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that nearly one billion people live with mental health conditions and urged governments to take decisive action to address them.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus issued the warning ahead of the High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health, scheduled for 25 September.
He cautioned that neglecting these health challenges would cost millions of lives and place immense pressure on national economies.
“Non-communicable diseases make up seven of the world’s ten leading causes of death. On top of that, almost one billion people suffer from mental health conditions. Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death among young people,” Dr Tedros said.
He stressed that countries that take bold steps against NCDs could save millions of lives, protect families, reduce healthcare costs, and stimulate economic growth.
Beyond the personal tragedies, Dr Tedros highlighted the enormous social and economic impact of NCDs and mental health conditions. He noted that these deaths not only cut lives short and devastate families but also drain health systems and economies.
Globally, suicide remains the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds, with 73% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In Nigeria, the suicide mortality rate stood at 3.5 per 100,000 people as of January 2024, equating to around 15,000 deaths annually.
Over the past year, countries have been negotiating a political declaration that will be finalised at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting. The draft sets ambitious targets for 2030: reducing tobacco use by 150 million people, expanding mental health care access for 150 million, and ensuring 150 million achieve control of hypertension.
“Investing in NCD prevention is not a cost—it is one of the smartest economic decisions any government can make. Yet, governments often face fierce opposition from industries profiting from unhealthy products,” Dr Tedros stated, calling for courageous leadership.
The upcoming High-Level Meeting at UNGA is expected to produce a robust political declaration that will shape global cooperation on tackling NCDs and strengthening mental health support over the next decade.