what is driving the global mental health crisis?

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The global crisis in mental health is taking a toll on our workplaces. According to the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization, about 12bn working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy more than $1tn annually.

But what is behind this crisis, and what can businesses do to tackle it? According to a WHO survey, the long-term decline in mental health since the millennium was exacerbated by Covid-19, with cases of depression increasing 25 per cent globally during 2020-21, and the trend has not receded.

“We are not yet back down to pre-pandemic levels,” said Dan Chisholm, a mental health specialist at the WHO. “Some people are still suffering from a massive hangover from the pandemic.”

Other factors that are contributing to the global mental health crisis range from the cost of living to increasing work hours, the pervasive use of social media and the interconnected nature of our work and home life, thanks to new technology.

But there is still no expert consensus on why mental health is declining worldwide at such a rapid rate. What is your view on the factors contributing most to the global mental health crisis? Tell us your thoughts by voting in our poll or commenting below the line.