Honourable ministers of health and finance , colleagues at the World Bank , ladies and gentlemen , we stand at the beginning of the era of sustainable development . One of the pledges the world has made in the 2030 agenda is to leave no one behind . If we in public health stand by this pledge , then it is time to bring mental health out of the shadows . The cultural and historical contexts for taking action in different countries vary considerably , but all face one common barrier : stigma . Mental disorders are something people don ’ t want to know about . They don ’ t want to hear about them , talk about them , or deal with them . This must change , and I see some encouraging signs . Mental health is a high priority for WHO ’ s 194 Member States , who adopted a Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan three years ago . The WHO mhGAP Intervention Guide sets out evidence-based strategies for preventing and treating priority mental disorders . The guide has been translated into 20 languages and is currently being used in more than 90 countries . The momentum is building , and this is entirely appropriate for a number of reasons . Common mental disorders are on the rise . They now affect nearly 10 % of the world ’ s population . That is a very large number of people who must not be left behind . These disorders are costly , for economies as well as individuals and their families . We now have good evidence that depression and anxiety disorders alone cost the global economy more than one trillion dollars each year . We also have evidence that every dollar spent on scaling up treatment for these common conditions brings about a return of four dollars in improved health and the ability to work . That is an excellent return on investment . But the gap between need and access to treatment remains far too wide . More countries need technical support and guidance to scale up evidence-based strategies and interventions that have been shown to work . Making mental health a priority for development means bringing these issues under the spotlight . To implement action plans , countries also need funding . As our latest evidence shows , this will be money well spent . The more we talk about mental health , the better . As I close , I am pleased to announce that the theme for next year ’ s World Health Day will be depression and suicide . This will be another excellent occasion to increase awareness on this important public health and development priority and step up our collective action . ■
Opening remarks at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings , Out of the Shadows : Making Mental Health a Global Priority Washington , DC , USA 13 April 2016
The cultural and historical contexts for taking action in different countries vary considerably , but all face one common barrier : stigma . Mental disorders are something people don ’ t want to know about . They don ’ t want to hear about them , talk about them , or deal with them .
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