The Mental State of the World in 2023

SAPEIN's fourth annual Mental State of the World Report highlights the persistent decline in global mental wellbeing since 2019, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite expectations of recovery post-lockdowns, data from 64 countries show that the effects of diminished mental wellbeing have become the new normal. Factors such as remote work, single-use plastics, and wealth indicators like per capita GDP have contributed to this trend. The report reveals that younger age of first smartphone ownership and ultra-processed food consumption significantly impact mental health challenges, particularly in wealthier countries. The addition of new languages and validation of data further strengthens the report's findings. SAPEIN aims to expand its global reach and encourages contributions to understand the root causes of declining mental wellbeing and develop strategies to address the issue.