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A groundbreaking study has revealed that a staggering 70% of Australians diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) are not receiving even the minimal level of treatment necessary to manage their condition.
The research, led by Dr. Damian Santomauro from the University of Queensland’s (UQ) School of Public Health and the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, analyzed data from 204 countries and territories to assess global access to mental health care. The study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, sheds light on the concerning global gap in mental health treatment, particularly for those suffering from depression.
In 2021, only 30% of Australians with major depressive disorder received minimally adequate treatment, a figure significantly lower than what is considered necessary for effective management of the illness. This “minimally adequate treatment” is defined as at least one month of medication, coupled with either four visits to a doctor or eight sessions with a mental health professional.
While high-income regions reported the highest rates of adequate mental health care, the study still found that only 27% of individuals in these areas received proper treatment. Alarmingly, only seven countries had treatment rates exceeding 30%.
“Globally, only 9% of people with major depressive illnesses received the minimal treatment necessary,” said Dr. Santomauro. “In 90 countries, adequate treatment was below 5%, with the lowest rates found in sub-Saharan Africa, where only 2% of those with depression received the care they need.”
Gender discrepancies were also noted in the study, with women receiving treatment at a higher rate (10.2%) than men (7.2%).
The research underscores the dire need for increased mental health services, especially in regions with limited access to care. Professor Harvey Whiteford, a psychiatrist and researcher at UQ, emphasized that many people with depression require more than just minimally adequate treatment.
“Effective treatments are available, and with the right care, people can fully recover,” said Professor Whiteford. “Without treatment, the suffering from depression can be prolonged, leading to negative impacts on relationships, work, and education. Our focus should not only be on increasing access to care but also on ensuring the quality and duration of treatment.”
Dr. Santomauro highlighted the alignment of the study’s findings with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030, which aims to expand mental health services by at least 50% by 2030. He added that identifying regions and demographic groups with the lowest treatment rates is critical to guiding interventions and resource allocation to improve global mental health care.
The research team included experts from the University of Washington, Harvard University, and the WHO, and provides a crucial baseline for tracking progress in addressing the global mental health crisis.
As the study reveals, depression continues to be a significant public health challenge, and much work remains to be done to ensure that those who need help are receiving the treatment they deserve.
