A massive global genetics study is reshaping how we understand mental illness—and why diagnoses so often pile up. By analyzing genetic data from more than six million people, researchers uncovered deep genetic connections across 14 psychiatric conditions, showing that many disorders share common biological roots. Instead of existing in isolation, these conditions fall into five overlapping families, helping explain why depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders so frequently occur together.

Youth mental health is a growing global crisis, with most mental health conditions beginning before the age of 25. Young people today face increasing stress from poverty, academic and social pressure, bullying (including online), climate anxiety, and uncertainty about the future, while mental health services struggle to keep up with demand. Although governments play a critical role, philanthropic investment can help strengthen the social determinants of youth mental health and support prevention at scale. Despite growing global attention, including commitments through the UN Sustainable...

Nivishe Foundation successfully launched “Understanding Emotions,” the first chapter in its groundbreaking Brainwaves Comic Book Series, one of Africa’s first comic books dedicated to mental health education.

The series uses relatable storytelling and vibrant illustrations to help young people understand emotions, break mental health stigma, and build resilience. It transforms complex psychological concepts into simple, accessible lessons that speak directly to the realities of adolescents and youth in Kenya’s informal settlements.

Since its launch in Nairobi, the comic has reached over 2...

The WHO Africa Mental Health Dashboard, accessible via WHO AFRO Mental Health Dashboard, consolidates key indicators into a single, interactive platform that enables users to track progress, identify gaps and align national efforts with regional and global targets. It is designed to support ministries of health, policymakers, WHO staff, technical partners and the public in making informed decisions and driving action.

The dashboard features an AI-powered chatbot that simplifies complex insights for users, making the data more accessible.

Data is sourced from WHO, GBD, the Mental Health Atlas...

The Mental Health or Nurses and Doctors (MeND) survey, conducted by WHO Regional Office for Europe under a contribution agreement with the European Commission, aimed to explore the mental health, well-being and working conditions of doctors and nurses in the 27 European Union countries plus Iceland and Norway.

The survey was disseminated from October 2024 to April 2025 across all 29 countries, obtaining 122 048 responses, of which 90 171 were valid. The findings indicated a high prevalence of mental health conditions and unsafe working conditions – including violence, extended working hours...

ISSUP, in collaboration with Faces & Voices of Recovery, has launched a new Global Recovery Network webinar series to spotlight diverse perspectives on recovery. The first webinar featured Dr. Haner Hernández, a respected expert in the field and a person in long-term recovery. Dr. Hernández currently serves as a Senior Consultant to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and plays a key role in advancing health equity, workforce development, and recovery support. His presentation provided an insightful and inclusive overview of multiple pathways to recovery, grounded in both...

The WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders provides a comprehensive snapshot of global trends in alcohol consumption, related harms, and national policy responses, alongside the availability and quality of treatment services for alcohol and drug use disorders.

Key Highlights:

• Presents the latest data from WHO Member States, aligned with SDG Health Target 3.5: “Strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.”

• Offers updated insights on global alcohol consumption patterns...