The Mind Health Index (MHI), a global tool for measuring mental well-being, shows no signs of improvement in 2024. Developed through a comprehensive questionnaire, the index classifies individuals into four categories: flourishing, getting by, languishing, and struggling. The latest data reveals a concerning reality. Only 25% of people worldwide are flourishing, a slight increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, 32% are getting by, marking a slight decline. The proportion of those languishing has risen to 29%, while 14% continue to struggle with significant psychological distress and impaired social functioning.
The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS) highlight an alarming trend. The percentage of people likely experiencing depression has risen to 47%, up from 44% in 2023. Stress levels are also escalating, with 64% of individuals at risk, compared to 62% the previous year. Anxiety has reached a record high, affecting 23% of the population, a sharp rise from 20% in 2023 and 17% in 2022. Overall, a quarter of the global population may be dealing with severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress, reflecting a worsening crisis.
Reports of mental health struggles remain widespread. Thirty-two percent of respondents say they currently suffer from a mental health issue, a figure unchanged from 2023 but significantly higher than the 27% recorded in 2022. This consistency suggests that the global mental health crisis is stabilizing at an alarmingly high level rather than improving.
Young people and women remain the most vulnerable groups. Among individuals aged 18 to 24, more than two in five experience severe depression, anxiety, or stress. The same proportion reports currently struggling with a mental health condition. The situation is deteriorating for those aged 25 to 34, with 37% affected by severe symptoms—an increase of eight percentage points in just one year. Additionally, 42% report ongoing mental health issues, marking a four-point rise.
Women continue to face greater mental health challenges than men. Only 23% of women are classified as flourishing, compared to 27% of men. More women than men report current mental health issues, with 34% affected compared to 31% of men. The prevalence of severe depression, anxiety, and stress is also higher among women, though men’s mental health is declining as well.
A range of factors is contributing to the decline in mental health worldwide. Seventy-six percent of people report that multiple issues are affecting their well-being, with financial instability and job insecurity being the most cited concerns. Uncertainty about the future in a rapidly changing world is another major source of stress. Constant exposure to negative news, political and social unrest, and increasing feelings of loneliness and isolation further compound the problem.
Young adults, particularly those aged 18 to 24, are significantly impacted by excessive social media use. More than half say that digital overuse negatively affects their mental health, compared to 36% of the general population. At the same time, many young people rely on social media as a substitute for physical interactions and as a tool for building new relationships. Nearly half consider social media an essential source of information, making its influence on mental health a double-edged sword.
Despite growing awareness, significant gaps remain in mental health education and resources. While most people feel somewhat informed about mental health, only 47% believe they are well-versed in key areas such as recognizing symptoms, identifying risk factors, and seeking professional help. Many rely on family and friends for support, with 66% saying they would turn to loved ones if they needed help. However, a troubling 31% of those in severe distress choose to remain silent about their struggles.
Workplace stress is another pressing issue. More than half of employees report experiencing significant stress levels at work. Women and younger employees are the most affected. Work-related stress manifests in various ways, including sleep disorders, physical symptoms, mood swings, and increased irritability. The impact is so severe that the number of employees taking sick leave for mental health reasons is rising. In the past year alone, 27% of workers took time off due to mental health struggles, a four-point increase from 2023.
Several job-related factors contribute to mental health issues. Salary concerns top the list, followed by workload pressures, difficulty balancing work and personal life, job stability worries, and dissatisfaction with management style. Employees increasingly expect better mental health support in the workplace, with many citing the lack of access to resources as a significant issue. More than half of workers believe their employers should take more responsibility in providing mental health support, with younger employees and those experiencing high levels of stress voicing the strongest demands.
The Mind Health Index, developed as part of the AXA Mind Health Report, serves as a proactive tool for assessing and promoting mental well-being. It evaluates individuals based on 50 questions covering 13 distinct mental health factors. These factors include external influences such as healthcare accessibility, personal actions like physical activity and diet, and overall mental health outcomes. The index classifies individuals into four categories: struggling, languishing, getting by, and flourishing.
Struggling individuals experience deep psychological distress and difficulty functioning. Those languishing may not be in crisis but lack a sense of positive well-being and motivation, putting them at risk of developing mental illness. People getting by have some level of well-being but not enough to be considered truly thriving. Flourishing individuals, on the other hand, enjoy strong psychological, emotional, and social well-being.
The latest data paints a troubling picture of mental health worldwide. Young people and women remain particularly vulnerable, while economic instability, workplace stress, and digital overexposure contribute to declining mental well-being. Despite increased awareness, significant gaps in education and workplace support remain. Addressing these issues will require sustained efforts at individual, community, and policy levels to prevent the crisis from deepening further.
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