Mental health is essential to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Good mental health empowers people to realize their full potential, promotes resiliency in the face of life's adversities, supports productivity, and helps maintain social cohesion through meaningful connections.

Unfortunately, in the Western Pacific Region, mental and substance use disorders, suicide, and neurological disorders such as dementia affect over 200 million people. Stigma against people living with mental disorders remains persistent and pervasive leaving them vulnerable to abuse while denying access to much needed support and services.

Depression alone accounts for 4.3% of the global burden of disease and is among the largest single causes of disability worldwide (11% of all years lived with disability globally), particularly for women.

Based on 2019 data, an estimated 62% of depressive disorder cases in the Western Pacific Region were female. Within this population, 72% were within the ages of 30-69 years and 33% between 33-49 years.