Mental health has a deep connection with sustainable development, a relationship that has been demonstrated by numerous studies over the years. In the past decade, and especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, this connection has become increasingly recognized, positioning mental health as a priority for global health and sustainable development.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been highlighting the relevance of mental health for development for several years, defining it as “a state of well-being in which every person realizes their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to their community.” Likewise, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) incorporate the promotion and prevention of mental health into many of their targets.
In this regard, it is important to recognize that a society’s mental health status is strongly associated with its level of development. This relationship is bidirectional, meaning that it works both as a cause and as a consequence.
In this regard, five years ago, the scientific journal The Lancet launched a specialized commission with the aim of rethinking mental health through the paradigm of sustainable development, considering the framework of the SDGs. This working group demonstrated how the social determinants of mental health are intrinsically linked to sustainable development, including dimensions such as economic stability, housing, education, food security, among others.
For example, economic hardships are associated with a higher incidence of mental health-related problems. Demographic factors, such as gender, age, and race, can also positively or negatively influence our mental health.
At the same time, the environment in which we live is an important determinant: exposure to factors such as violence and conflict can be harmful to our mental health. In this regard, various studies conducted in Ayacucho show how the internal armed conflict had profoundly negative intergenerational effects on the mental health of people in that region of Peru. Exposure to the effects of climate change and disasters can also have negative consequences for our mental health.
On the other hand, having a negative educational experience, whether academically or socially (such as exposure to bullying), constitutes a risk factor for our mental health, especially during childhood and adolescence. In contrast, receiving quality education is a protective factor for our mental health because it promotes cognitive development.
Likewise, this connection between mental health and development can be evidenced through global burden of disease statistics. Mental health-related problems have been among the top ten causes of morbidity worldwide for more than thirty years. In 2020, anxiety and depression accounted for 49.4 million and 44.5 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), respectively. This is a statistical measure that quantifies the number of healthy years lost due to illness, disability, or premature death.
Moreover, the mental health status of our society also impacts the global economy. Mental health-related problems cost the global economy USD 2.5 trillion each year in productivity losses and healthcare costs. This cost is expected to increase to USD 6 trillion by 2030.
This year, 2023, the WHO has focused the celebration of World Mental Health Day on promoting global commitment to recognize and uphold mental health as a universal human right. Let us strengthen this commitment by promoting prevention, mental health promotion, and anti-stigma initiatives, while also recognizing the relevance of mental health for the sustainable development of our world.
