By 75, About 50% of the Population May Experience a Mental Health Condition

Researchers examined information from over 150,000 adults in 29 countries spanning the period from 2001 to 2022. The findings revealed a significant occurrence of mental health disorders, indicating that 50 percent of the population would experience at least one disorder by the time they reach the age of 75.

A global research collaboration, led by scientists from The University of Queensland and Harvard Medical School, has revealed that one out of every two individuals will experience a mental health disorder during their lifetime.

Analyzing Mental Health Data from 150,000 Adults in 29 Countries (2001-2022)

The study, conducted by Professor John McGrath from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Professor Ronald Kessler from Harvard Medical School, and their colleagues from 27 other countries, involved analyzing data from more than 150,000 adults across 29 countries over the period from 2001 to 2022. The researchers conducted face-to-face interviews to collect this data as part of the World Health Organisation’s World Mental Health Survey initiative, constituting the largest ever coordinated series of such interviews.

The results highlighted a significant prevalence of mental health disorders, indicating that 50 percent of the population would develop at least one disorder by the time they reach the age of 75. The most common disorders were found to be mood-related, such as major depression or anxiety. Additionally, the research showed that certain mental disorders displayed varying risk levels based on gender.

Prevalent Mental Health Disorders and Age of Onset

For women, the three most common mental health disorders were depression, specific phobia (a disabling anxiety that affects daily life), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For men, the three most common mental health disorders were alcohol abuse, depression, and specific phobia. The study also noted that mental health disorders typically surfaced during childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood.

According to Professor McGrath, the highest incidence of first onset of mental disorders occurred at the age of 15, with the median age of onset being 19 for men and 20 for women.

This emphasizes the importance of investing in basic neuroscience research to better comprehend the underlying causes of these disorders.

Emphasizing the Need for Enhanced Mental Health Services for Youth

Professor Kessler also stressed the necessity of investing in mental health services, particularly for young individuals. These services should be equipped to promptly identify and treat common mental disorders, taking into account the critical stages of their lives.

Understanding the typical age when these disorders manifest allows for targeted public health interventions and proper allocation of resources, ensuring timely and appropriate support is accessible to those at risk.

The research findings offer valuable insights into the frequency and timing of mental disorder onset across various populations.

Read the original article on:Science Daily

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