The Global Crisis of Depression
Mental health and integration
Mental illness exacts a substantial human and economic toll on Europe. World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates for 2012 show that in the 30 countries covered by this study, 12% of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)—a measure of the overall disease burden—were the direct result of mental illness. These conditions almost certainly also contributed to the large number of DALYs attributed to other chronic diseases. On the economic front, the best estimates are that mental illness cuts GDP in Europe annually by 3-4%.