Prevention is protection,
every mind matters
Global Mental Health Disorders
Mental health conditions involve significant disruptions in thinking, emotions, or behaviour, often leading to distress and difficulties in daily life.
Worldwide, around 1 billion people, 1 in every 8 live with a mental disorder, including:
Anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder
PTSD, schizophrenia, and eating disorders
Disruptive behaviour and neurodevelopmental conditions
Although effective prevention and treatment options exist, access remains limited for many. People frequently face:
Stigma and discrimination
Financial and structural barriers
Human rights violations
Social and environmental factors such as poverty, violence, disability, and inequality further increase vulnerability to mental health conditions.
To address these challenges, organisations like the WHO have introduced initiatives such as the Mental Health Action Plan (2013–2030), which aims to:
Strengthen mental health leadership and governance
Expand and improve access to care
Implement evidence‑based prevention strategies
Enhance research and data systems for health workers globally
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As of 2021, an estimated 359 million people worldwide were living with an anxiety disorder, including 72 million children and adolescents. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition globally, affecting approximately 4.4% of the global population.
They involve excessive fear, worry, and behavioural disturbances that can significantly impact daily life. Symptoms may include:
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Irritability, tension, or restlessness
Nausea, abdominal distress, heart palpitations
Sweating, trembling, sleep disturbances
A persistent sense of impending danger
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anxiety and depression cost the global economy over $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.
Treatment:
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based therapies
Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications
Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, mindfulness, and stress management techniques
Early interventions include digital tools, community-based programs, and support in schools, workplaces, and primary care can reduce severity and long-term impact, especially in underserved areas.
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Eating disorders are a global issue, affecting over 70 million people worldwide. Prevalence may appear higher in developed countries due to better reporting, but the burden is growing worldwide and increasingly recognised across all socioeconomic contexts.
Symptoms can include emotional distress, rigid food routines, physical changes like missed periods or dizziness.
There are many types including:
Anorexia nervosa: Restriction and fear of weight gain
Bulimia nervosa: Bingeing and purging cycles
Binge eating disorder: Emotional overeating without purging
OSFED/UFED: Atypical but distressing patterns
ARFID, Pica, Rumination, Diabulimia: Less common but clinically significant
Facts:
Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ youth, men, older adults, veterans, athletes, and people with disabilities face higher risks and lower diagnosis rates.
In many non-Western cultures, disordered eating may manifest differently, sometimes linked to religious fasting, self-control, or emotional regulation rather than body image concerns.
Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness
Fewer than 6% of those affected are medically “underweight”
People in larger bodies are often overlooked
Stigma, lack of training, and limited mental health infrastructure mean many cases go unrecognised or untreated in low-resource settings.
Treatment:
Early help from a professional is key
Includes CBT, nutritional support, peer mentorship, and charities support
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Depression is a genuine medical condition marked by persistent sadness lasting weeks or months, not just temporary low mood. Symptoms range from emotional (hopelessness, tearfulness, anxiety) to physical (fatigue, poor sleep, appetite changes, aches), and severity can vary from mild to suicidal thoughts.
Globally, depression affects an estimated 3.8% of the population, including 5% of adults, 5.7% of adults over 60, and millions of children. It is about 50% more common in women than men.
While women are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and attempts, men are over twice as likely to die by suicide. Each year, around 720,000 people die by suicide, making it the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.
Despite the availability of effective treatments, over 75% of people in low- and middle-income countries receive no care due to stigma, underinvestment, and a shortage of trained providers.
Causes of depression may include life events (such as bereavement or job loss), genetic predisposition, or no clear trigger. Treatment depends on severity and may involve:
Lifestyle changes (exercise, sleep hygiene)
Talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Medication
Support groups and self-help resources
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Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition affecting around 37 million people globally.
It involves extreme mood swings between high (mania or hypomania) and low (depression) states, with periods of stability in between.
Mania may include elevated mood, impulsivity, reduced need for sleep, and in severe cases, delusions or hallucinations.
Depressive episodes bring persistent sadness, fatigue, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts.
There are two main types:
Bipolar I: full manic episodes, often with depression
Bipolar II: hypomania and depression without full mania
Causes are multifactorial, including genetic, psychological, and social factors, with triggers like trauma, substance use, and major life changes.
Facts:
Contributes significantly to disability and premature death.
Individuals with bipolar disorder have a short life span by about 13 years on average
Misdiagnosis and lack of treatment are common, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
WHO emphasises integrated, rights-based care and urges global action to close treatment gaps and reduce stigma.
Stable environments and supportive employment can aid recovery
Treatment:
Medications: Mood stabilisers, antipsychotics, cautious use of antidepressants.
Psychosocial support: CBT, psychoeducation, lifestyle changes, peer and family involvement.
Hospital care may be needed during crises.
Self-Management & Support:
Managing triggers such as stress or sleep disruption is essential.
Healthy routines, diet, exercise, and avoiding alcohol/drugs help stabilise mood.
Support available from GPs, mental health specialists, charities like Mind, and peer networks.
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Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition classified as a type of psychosis, where individuals may struggle to distinguish their thoughts from reality. It affects approximately 23 million people worldwide (about 1 in 345) and is associated with a life expectancy nine years shorter than the general population.
Common symptoms:
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
Delusions
Disorganised thinking and speech
Social withdrawal and emotional detachment
Highly disorganised behaviour or extreme agitation
Persistent cognitive difficulties (memory, attention, decision-making etc.)
Misconceptions:
Schizophrenia does not involve split personalities.
It rarely leads to violence, despite media portrayals.
Triggers:
Exact cause is unknown
Likely involves a mix of genetic and environmental factors
Triggers may include stress, drug misuse, or trauma
Treatment options include antipsychotic medication, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychoeducation and family interventions, psychosocial rehabilitation, support from community mental health teams and peer support groups can aid daily coping and recovery.
Mental Health
Modern life can be overwhelming, but effective stress management is essential for mental wellness. Simple practices like deep breathing, physical activity, and setting healthy boundaries can reduce anxiety and promote inner calm. Acknowledging stressors and developing coping strategies fosters a more balanced and peaceful mindset.
Managing Stress
Mental health is just as vital as physical health, influencing how we think, feel, and interact with the world. Prioritising mental wellbeing helps build resilience, manage stress, and maintain emotional balance. When nurtured through mindfulness, self-care, and supportive relationships, mental health can empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Breaking Stigma
Despite growing awareness, stigma still surrounds mental health challenges, preventing many from seeking the help they need. Encouraging open conversations, educating communities, and promoting compassion can create a more supportive environment. Mental health is part of overall wellbeing, and everyone deserves understanding and care.
Understanding Depression
Through the Gut
in Black Communities
Addressing Alzheimer’s Inequities
Investigating how imbalances in gut microbes within the microbiota–gut–brain axis can influence both the development and intensity of depressive symptoms.
Understanding the unequal burden of neurodegenerative disease and the systemic gaps driving disparities in diagnosis, care, and research
How Cultures Around the World Nurture the Ageing Mind
Community & Belonging
Nourishing Foodways
Across many cultures, ageing is a collective experience, such as:
• In East and West Africa, elders stay central to family life, offering guidance and holding cultural memory.
• In Mediterranean regions, shared meals, market visits, and neighbourly check‑ins keep older adults woven into daily social rhythms.
• In South Asia, multigenerational households keep elders emotionally connected and mentally engaged.
These forms of belonging protect the ageing mind by reducing loneliness, reinforcing identity, and providing the social complexity that keeps neural networks active.
Traditional food cultures naturally support long‑term cognitive health like:
• In Ethiopia and Eritrea, fermented injera provides gut‑supportive microbes linked to brain resilience.
• In South Asia, turmeric, lentils, and leafy greens form the backbone of everyday meals, offering anti‑inflammatory and neuroprotective compounds.
• Across the Mediterranean, olive oil, legumes, herbs, and vegetables create a dietary pattern consistently associated with slower cognitive decline.
• In West Africa, groundnuts, millet, leafy stews, and baobab drinks deliver fibre, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
These foodways are more than nutrition, they are rituals, memories, and social anchors that nourish both the brain and the sense of self.
Cultures around the world embed meaning into daily life, giving older adults rhythm and purpose.
• In Japan, ikigai (a reason to wake up each day) supports longevity and cognitive vitality.
• In many African communities, elders serve as storytellers, spiritual guides, and caretakers, providing structure and responsibility.
• In the Middle East and South Asia, daily prayer, gardening, market visits, and shared tea rituals create grounding, predictable moments.
Purposeful routines strengthen attention, emotional balance, and long‑term brain health by giving each day shape and continuity.
Purposeful Daily Routines
Across many cultures, slow and intentional movement is part of daily life. These practices support emotional regulation, presence, and cognitive clarity as people age. They aren’t seen as “exercise” but as grounding rituals tied to rhythm, community, and identity.
Gentle, rhythmic, and often communal movement engages coordination, balance, memory, and social connection, helping the ageing brain stay active and culturally rooted. These practices keep the ageing brain active, socially connected, and deeply rooted in cultural identity, such as:
• Tai chi in East Asia with slow, intentional movement with breath and focus, that supports attention, balance, proprioception, and emotional regulation.
• West African drumming‑dance traditions include integrating music, movement, and community to stimulate auditory, motor, and social brain networks simultaneously.
• In Brazil, Capoeira is a blend of martial arts, dance, and improvisation that challenges coordination, timing, and spatial awareness.
• In the Philippines, Tinikling requires stepping between moving bamboo poles is a powerful test of timing, focus, and agility.
• Walking rituals and pilgrimages are part of many cultures across South Asia, the Mediterranean, Latin America, and East Africa, which include rhythmic, purposeful movement that anchors attention and supports emotional balance.
Movement as Cultural Memory
The Lastest Research
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Learning how diet, key nutrients, and gut-friendly ingredients can enhance mood, cognitive function, and emotional resilience
Mindful Eating: Building Healthier Relationships with Food
It's not just what we eat, but how we eat that shapes our wellbeing. A healthier relationship with food starts with noticing our habits, emotions, and values around nourishment