Cases of major depressive and anxiety disorders have increased by more than 25 per cent worldwide, according to a world-first study of the impact of COVID-19 on mental health.
The study led by researchers from The University of Queensland’s School of Public Health, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington estimated people living in countries severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic have been the most affected, especially women and younger people.
The study found that in 2020, the estimated cases of major depressive disorders and anxiety disorders increased by 28% and 26%.