WHO: 67 Million People In Refugees To Conflict Areas Experience Mental Health Disorders

Lebanese refugees. (UNHCR/Hamed Maaruf)

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) last week warned that around 67 million people living in conflict areas, disasters, or displaced areas were suffering from mental health problems.

In line with that, the UN health agency urged that mental health support be treated as a priority for saving lives in humanitarian operations.

"One in five people in a state of emergency live with mental health conditions, but mental health support is still considered optional in many responses," said Fahmy Hanna, WHO's technical official for mental health, at a UN press conference in Geneva, reported by Anadolu, October 17.

Hanna said progress had been made, with a coordination mechanism now active in 71 percent of the emergency compared to less than half in 2019.

However, Hanna insists the quality and coverage of services "still lacking."

He warned that the country's demand for psychotropic drugs fell 94 percent in early 2025 due to cuts in funds, causing millions of people to lose support.

"When humanitarian funds disappear, the impact is immediate and very large," Hanna said, urging governments, donors, and respondents to integrate and invest in mental health care at all stages of preparedness, response, and recovery.