The COVID 19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93 of countries worldwide while the demand for mental health is increasing according to a new WHO survey The survey of 130 countries provides the first global data showing the devastating impact of COVID 19 on access to mental health services and underscores the urgent need for increased funding The survey was published ahead of WHO s Big Event for Mental Health a global online advocacy event on 10 October that will bring together world leaders celebrities and advocates to call for increased mental health investments in the wake of COVID 19 WHO has previously highlighted the chronic underfunding of mental health prior to the pandemic countries were spending less than 2 per cent of their national health budgets on mental health and struggling to meet their populations needs And the pandemic is increasing demand for mental health services Bereavement isolation loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use insomnia and anxiety Meanwhile COVID 19 itself can lead to neurological and mental complications such as delirium agitation and stroke People with pre existing mental neurological or substance use disorders are also more vulnerable to SARS CoV 2 infection they may stand a higher risk of severe outcomes and even death Good mental health is absolutely fundamental to overall health and well being said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director General of the World Health Organization COVID 19 has interrupted essential mental health services around the world just when they re needed most World leaders must move fast and decisively to invest more in life saving mental health programmes during the pandemic and beyond Survey finds major disruptions to critical mental health services The survey was conducted from June to August 2020 among 130 countries across WHO s six regions It evaluates how the provision of mental neurological and substance use services has changed due to COVID 19 the types of services that have been disrupted and how countries are adapting to overcome these challenges Countries reported widespread disruption of many kinds of critical mental health services Over 60 reported disruptions to mental health services for vulnerable people including children and adolescents 72 older adults 70 and women requiring antenatal or postnatal services 61 67 saw disruptions to counseling and psychotherapy 65 to critical harm reduction services and 45 to opioid agonist maintenance treatment for opioid dependence More than a third 35 reported disruptions to emergency interventions including those for people experiencing prolonged seizures severe substance use withdrawal syndromes and delirium often a sign of a serious underlying medical condition 30 reported disruptions to access for medications for mental neurological and substance use disorders Around three quarters reported at least partial disruptions to school and workplace mental health services 78 and 75 respectively While many countries 70 have adopted telemedicine or teletherapy to overcome disruptions to in person services there are significant disparities in the uptake of these interventions More than 80 of high income countries reported deploying telemedicine and teletherapy to bridge gaps in mental health compared with less than 50 of low income countries WHO has issued guidance to countries on how to maintain essential services including mental health services during COVID 19 and recommends that countries allocate resources to mental health as an integral component of their response and recovery plans The Organization also urges countries to monitor changes and disruptions in services so that they can address them as required Although 89 of countries reported in the survey that mental health and psychosocial support is part of their national COVID 19 response plans only 17 of these countries have full additional funding for covering these activities This all highlights the need for more money for mental health As the pandemic continues even greater demand will be placed on national and international mental health programmes that have suffered from years of chronic underfunding Spending 2 of national health budgets on mental health is not enough International funders also need to do more mental health still receives less than 1 of international aid earmarked for health Those who do invest in mental health will reap rewards Pre COVID 19 estimates reveal that nearly US 1 trillion in economic productivity is lost annually from depression and anxiety alone However studies show that every US 1 spent on evidence based care for depression and anxiety returns US 5 Note on World Mental Health Day Mobilizing the global community to MoveforMentalHeatlh On World Mental Health Day Saturday 10 October as part of its campaign Move for mental health let s invest WHO is inviting the global community to take part in The Big Event for Mental Health an unprecedented online advocacy event that will call for increased investment in mental health at all levels from individuals to businesses to countries to civil society so that the world can begin to close the gaps highlighted by today s report The Big Event is free and open to the public and will be broadcast on 10 October from 16 00 to 19 00 CEST on WHO s YouTube Facebook Twitter TikTok and LinkedIn channels and website For updated information about the Big Event for Mental Health including the latest lineup of performances and participants visit the Big Event web page To learn more about World Mental Health Day visit WHO s campaign page