Mental health is a dynamic process that weaves through all aspects of life and is influenced by many factors. These include social, cultural and economic realities that impact health and well-being. The Bloomberg School’s only department dedicated to mental health is focused on understanding these influencing factors in order to promote and enhance mental health.
Mental illnesses are highly prevalent and affect the quality of life for individuals, families, communities and economies. Globally, 1 in 2 people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. However, despite this fact, there are still barriers to accessing care and treatment. These barriers range from a lack of awareness and stigma to a limited availability of affordable and effective treatments.
In addition, high levels of unmet need for mental health care persist across regions and income groups. Low-income and lower-middle-income countries spend reduced amounts on mental health, often less than 1% of total government spending, and rely heavily on out-of-pocket payments for care.
Inequality in access to care is further compounded by the societal and structural conditions that shape mental health, including poverty, urbanization and living on the margins of society. These factors, along with the stigma associated with mental disorders, contribute to a widening disparity in access to care and treatment for different communities and individuals worldwide. Further, the work done by professionals in certain sectors—such as health, humanitarian and emergency workers—poses psychosocial risks that may contribute to the development of mental illness.