World Health Organisation (WHO) has reviewed that the Covid -19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide while the demand for mental health is increasing.
The survey said 130 countries provides the first global data showing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on access to mental health services and underscores the urgent need for increased funding.
The survey was published ahead of WHO’s event for Mental Health , a global online advocacy event on 10 October that will bring together world leaders, celebrities, and advocates to call for increased mental health investments in the wake of Covid-19.
Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged world leaders to invest more on mental health services.
“Good mental health is absolutely fundamental to overall health and well-being. Covid-19 has interrupted essential mental health services around the world just when they’re needed most. World leaders must move fast and decisively to invest more in life-saving mental health programmes during the pandemic and beyond.” He said.
WHO has previously highlighted the chronic underfunding of mental health: prior to the pandemic, countries were spending less than 2 per cent of their national health budgets on mental health, and struggling to meet their populations’ needs.
