María Cantero-García

In 2023, 1.17 billion people suffered from a mental health disorder, compared to 599 million people in 1990, according to a global study published in The Lancet. Women experienced higher rates of anxiety and depression, while neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders—such as ADHD or autism—are more common in men. The highest incidence was observed among those aged 15 to 19, which, according to the authors, underscores the need for early prevention and targeted support for this age group.

Training people to get rid of unwanted thoughts can improve their mental health, according to a study from the University of Cambridge (UK). The research team stresses that these results "challenge the century-old wisdom" that trying to get rid of negative thoughts can have harmful effects on mental health. The study, published in Science Advances, involved 120 adults - some with major depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder - from 16 countries, who underwent a three-day online training to suppress certain thoughts. After the training, participants reported feeling less anxiety, negative emotions and symptoms of depression.