Global Mental Wellness: What's Happening?

Author

Philip Saparov
September 03, 2024

Hello, curious mind!

This issue focuses on global mental health trends, exploring everything from innovative healthcare systems to key statistics. 

We’ll broaden our understanding and contribute to important conversations on mental well-being. Let’s dive right in!

To help us unravel this topic, we’ll use the "positive mental wellbeing score," a normalized average out of ten, authored by OECD, and based on factors like leisure time, green spaces, climate, and government mental health spending.

Sweden excels as a prime example of a nation fostering mental well-being, achieving a high well-being score of 7.13. Only 1.1% of citizens work long hours, an average Swede devoting 15.2 hours to leisure and personal care each day. 

Finland shines with a notable score of 6.47, where 73.7% of the country is covered in green spaces, promoting a serene lifestyle with minimal environmental stress. 

Germany follows closely, scoring 6.60. Its residents enjoy 15.6 hours of leisure time daily, amidst 32.7% green space coverage, ensuring a balanced life with ample downtime. 

Confirming the importance of leisure, The Netherlands, boasting a score of 6.27, offers its residents an average of 16.1 hours for personal care, with only 0.4% working long hours. 

These metrics clearly demonstrate that mental health is profoundly influenced by the time available for self-care and the quality of one’s living environment.

Prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) varies globally, significantly affecting populations across continents. As of 2017, the worldwide average stands at 2.2%, with regional rates ranging from 0.1% to 8.1%. 

In children and adolescents, the United States reports the highest ADHD rate at 8.1%. Contrastingly, countries like Iraq, Poland, and Romania register the lowest rates at 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.4% respectively. 

Notably, ADHD prevalence in Caribbean nations is alarmingly high; Belize records 3,452 cases per 100,000 people, followed closely by Haiti with 3,422, and the Dominican Republic at 3,167. 

The European ADORE study reveals that boys significantly outnumber girls in ADHD diagnoses, especially in early childhood, though this ratio narrows with age.

The varying prevalence of autism, a complex neurological condition, reflects differences in diagnostic practices and awareness. 

Autism seems to be on the rise in developed nations, where comprehensive healthcare systems likely contribute to higher reported rates. 

The United Kingdom leads with the highest autism rate of 700.07 per 100,000 people, followed by Sweden at 661.85, and Japan at 604.72, indicating robust detection and reporting mechanisms.

Conversely, countries like Taiwan and North Korea report the lowest rates, at 199 and 251.67 per 100,000 respectively, which may reflect less comprehensive diagnostic services. 

4. Dementia and Alzheimer's Rates by Country

Dementia and Alzheimer's impact millions globally, with developed nations generally reporting higher rates due to better diagnostic capabilities and longer life expectancies. 

Finland stands out with the highest dementia rate at 54.65 per 100,000 people, also leading in Alzheimer's cases, indicating a critical need for robust elderly care and medical infrastructure. 

The United Kingdom follows with a dementia rate of 42.70 and is second in Alzheimer's prevalence, reflecting its aging population's impact on healthcare services.

Conversely, countries like Japan and Italy, although not among the top for dementia, report alarmingly high Alzheimer's rates of 3,079 and 2,270 per 100,000 respectively. 

This discrepancy might suggest variations in health conditions or genetic predispositions that contribute more specifically to Alzheimer's compared to other forms of dementia.

Scandinavian countries, notably Sweden and Denmark, along with North American nations like Canada, consistently show high dementia and Alzheimer's rates, likely due to advanced healthcare systems that can diagnose and manage these diseases effectively. 

5. Depression Rates and Antidepressant Use by Country

An estimated 264 million people are affected by depression worldwide. Globally, countries show varying rates of depression due to differences in diagnosis, healthcare accessibility, and cultural attitudes towards mental health. 

For example, Ukraine and the United States report some of the highest rates of depression at 6.3% and 5.9%, respectively, indicating a need for robust mental health support systems in these areas.

Antidepressant use also varies quite a bit. Iceland and Portugal lead, spending $26 and $13.70 per capita respectively on these medications, suggesting a high acceptance and reliance on pharmacological treatments in managing depression. 

In contrast, countries with lower antidepressant expenditures, such as Latvia and Estonia, might reflect different medical practices or lower rates of diagnosis.

High depression rates and substantial antidepressant use in countries like the United States and Australia call for comprehensive approaches that include both medication and psychotherapy to effectively address the complexities of depression.

Suicide remains a significant public health issue globally, influenced by a complex interplay of factors including mental health disorders, societal pressures, and economic conditions. 

In 2019, Lesotho reported the highest suicide rate at 72.4 per 100,000 people, revealing the urgent need for effective mental health interventions and support systems in the region. 

Following closely are countries like Guyana, Eswatini, and South Korea, with rates of 40.3, 29.4, and 28.6 respectively. South Korea’s high rate, in particular, is attributed to intense academic pressure among students and elderly isolation.

Contrastingly, the Caribbean islands and parts of Africa report some of the world's lowest suicide rates. For instance, Antigua and Barbuda have a rate as low as 0.4 per 100,000, suggesting cultural or societal factors that significantly mitigate the prevalence of suicide.

Belgium, a country with liberal euthanasia laws, also sees high suicide statistics, potentially influenced by its unique legal stance on doctor-assisted suicide. 

As we evaluate mental healthcare systems, direct services in conjunction with supportive environmental factors seem to greatly enhance overall effectiveness. 

France, leading with 15% of its healthcare budget dedicated to mental health, exemplifies comprehensive care that includes psychiatric services alongside proactive mental health initiatives. 

Norway, investing 13.5% in mental healthcare, integrates its abundant green spaces and societal support systems to bolster therapeutic outcomes. 

Germany, allocating 11.3% to mental health, excels not only in psychiatric services but also in creating a stigma-free environment that promotes widespread accessibility to mental health resources. 

These countries recognize that robust mental healthcare is not solely about medical treatment but also about cultivating a supportive environment that includes leisure activities, green spaces, and work-life balance, all of which are crucial for mental well-being. 

As we wrap up this edition, we hope it has helped you better understand mental health trends across the globe. We look forward to bringing you more insights into pressing global health issues and other important topics. 

Until next time, keep exploring and stay engaged with the world around you.

Warm regards,  

Shane Fulmer