Reducing the silent burden of impaired mental health: Introduction

Abstract

Mental and behavioural disorders account for about one-third of the world's disability due to all ill health amongst adults, with unipolar depressive disorders set to be the world's number one cause of ill health and premature death in 2030, affecting high- and low-income countries alike. There is a range of evidence-based cost-effective interventions that can be implemented in parenting, at schools, at the workplace and in older age that can promote health and well-being, reduce mental disorders, lead to improved productivity and increase resilience to cope with many of the stressors that are facing the world. These facts need to be better communicated to policy makers to ensure that the silent burden of impaired mental health is adequately heard and reduced.