A recent study discovered that more and more individuals are facing mental health difficulties. Research from the University of Queensland and Harvard Medical School found that by the time we reach 75 years old, half of us will have encountered at least one mental health issue. Professor John McGrath, the main author of the study, mentioned that the most common problems were mood-related, like depression or anxiety. He also added that "the risk of specific mental disorders varied between genders". The top three mental health problems among women were depression, phobias affecting daily life, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). For men, the top three issues were alcohol abuse, depression, and phobias.
The scientists examined information from 32 mental health surveys conducted by the WHO. More than 156,000 people in 29 countries answered questions about their way of life and mental well-being. The researchers studied the answers to determine when mental health problems started in individuals. They also evaluated the likelihood of people experiencing 13 different mental disorders, including panic attacks, anxiety, drug abuse, and ADHD. A significant discovery from the research was that for many individuals, mental health problems began during childhood or teenage years. The study concluded that young people needed more support during the "important moments in their lives". They require services that can identify and treat their mental health problems.