The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned that the global financial crisis may contribute to a serious aggravation of mental health problems worldwide. People who directly suffer the consequences of the global crisis may find it harder to cope with bankruptcy, losing their jobs or having no money.

Moreover WHO said Friday it wants governments to spend more money on mental health care. It says most countries allocate less than 2 percent of their health budget to mental disorders. The WHO's mental health Gap Action Programme aims to increase care through psychosocial assistance and by providing medications for mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders.

An estimated 450 million people living around the world suffer from a mental or neurological disorder. Yet, these illnesses remain some of the most unrecognized and underreported health problems.

We should not be surprised or underestimate the turbulence and likely consequences of the current financial crisis," WHO director general Margaret Chan told a meeting of mental health experts in Geneva.

According to the report 3 out of every 4 mental health patients living in developing countries receive no form of treatment.
Benedetto Saraceno, director of WHO's mental health and substance abuse department, said that mental and neurological disorders are often chronic and disabling.

The WHO launched a program on Thursday, October 9, which is also the annual World Mental Health. To mark the day, a number of activities including seminars and discussions were arranged as well, emphasizing the current situation of mental disorders in the country.