Luis Valero Aguayo
Professor of Psychology
In principle, this article is an excellent piece of work in which a large number of researchers and data agencies from around the world have collaborated, grouped within the GBD organization. The summary or press release also reflects the fundamental aspects of the article. It should be considered that, although the figures may seem very exaggerated, they are realistic. The changes over these 30 years being compared may be due to improvements in living conditions, but also to the fact that more diagnoses are now made and people make greater use of healthcare and psychological services. First comes survival, then mental health. However, statistically they accurately reflect the changes in recent decades and the differences between men and women, and between different geographical areas. It is also worth highlighting the data tables, which allow for comparisons and show the mean and the range (standard deviation), since there can be many differences between countries. They group them by large areas, but even so there can be significant differences between one country and its neighbor. What is particularly valuable about the article is the calculations they have made regarding the burdens represented by these mental health problems, reflected in the parameters of YLD (estimated years lived with disability), YLL (estimated years of life lost due to disability), and especially DALY (estimated years of life lost adjusted for disability), since some conditions may lead to higher suicide rates or premature deaths. These parameters provide policymakers with arguments about what could truly be saved if there were prevention programs and proper mental health care. Just one caution: the figures appear in American numerical notation, so when they refer to 1.17 billion people, they actually mean 1,170,000,000 people. In other words, out of the estimated global population of 8.396 billion, 1.17 billion would have mental health problems—that is, 13.93%. Presented this way, it may not seem quite as alarming. It should also be noted that the authors have focused on the most fundamental and severe mental health problems, leaving out many other issues that also appear in healthcare and psychological services. A recommendation for journalists: when extracting data from an article like this, with figures and population percentages, try to apply them to your own environment, using something close and understandable. For example, how many people with these problems (anxiety, depression, dysthymia, eating disorders, schizophrenia, behavioral disorders, etc.) would there be in the city of Madrid? About 498,330 people with mental health problems. Are they adequately cared for in Madrid? Are there enough facilities? Are there enough professionals?