The World Health Organization released the latest edition of its Mental Health Atlas, and the numbers are stark.
1 in 4 people globally will experience a clinically significant mental health challenge this year. Depression and anxiety remain the two most prevalent conditions, together affecting an estimated 1.2 billion people.
The treatment gap has not closed
Despite increased awareness and advocacy over the past decade, the WHO estimates that over 70% of people who need mental health support do not receive it. In low- and middle-income countries, this figure rises to over 90%.
The primary barriers remain:
- Cost – a single therapy session costs on average $100–$200 in high-income countries, and access is even more limited in LMICs
- Stigma – 38% of respondents globally said they would not seek help due to fear of judgment
- Availability – the global average is 9 mental health workers per 100,000 people; in many regions it is under 1
The role of technology
The Atlas includes new sections on tele-mental health and digital service delivery, noting that AI-assisted tools have emerged as a viable component of a stepped-care model – providing accessible, low-cost support at scale while freeing human clinicians to focus on higher-acuity cases.
What Companion is doing
We believe mental fitness should be as accessible as physical fitness. Companion is available at a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy, works in 100+ languages, and is available 24/7 – precisely because the treatment gap demands tools that meet people where they are.
Source: World Health Organization. Mental Health Atlas 2024. Geneva: WHO Press.