BACKGROUND Mental disorders have become a major contributor to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), a situation that has worsened with the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Updated data on their impact and a clear understanding of long-term trends are essential for global and national health authorities to implement effective prevention and intervention strategies for mental well-being. AIM To generate insights that will enhance global awareness of the burden of mental disorders and support the development of targeted, region-specific prevention and intervention strategies tailored to current global and local health challenges. METHODS We extracted data on incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) for 12 categories of mental disorders from 1990 to 2021 across 204 countries and territories grouped into 21 regions. Trends in ASIR and ASDR were also analyzed during the COVID-19 period (2019-2021). RESULTS From 1990 to 2021, global ASIR rose by 15.23% (12.97% to 17.60%), while ASDR increased by 73.52% (70.24% to 76.71%). All 21 GBD regions saw a rise in cases and DALYs. In 2021, Central sub-Saharan Africa had the highest ASIR (8706.11), and East Asia reported the lowest (3340.99). Australasia recorded the highest ASDR (2787.87). On the national level, Greenland, Greece, United States, and Australia had the greatest ASDR values. During the pandemic years, ASIR and ASDR rose across all five socio-demographic index levels and GBD regions, with the exception of East Asia, where rates remained stable. Females experienced a higher ASDR than males in 2021. Major depressive disorder (557.87) and anxiety disorders (524.33) were the most burdensome among the 12 types, with depressive disorders ranking first in 13 out of the 21 regions. CONCLUSION The GBD study 2021 results highlight a continued and worsening global burden of mental disorders, further intensified by the COVID-19 crisis. This underscores the urgent need to reinforce mental health care systems. Special attention should be directed toward high-middle socio-demographic index areas and female populations. Expanding access to mental health services, enhancing public awareness, and delivering targeted interventions are essential to lessen the growing impact of mental disorders.
Mao et al. (2025) studied this question.