The "Lancet Commission" report by 28 global specialists in psychiatry, public health and neuroscience, as well as mental health patients and advocacy groups, said on Tuesday the growing crisis could cause lasting harm to people, communities and economies worldwide.
While some of the costs will be the direct costs of healthcare and medicines or other therapies, most are indirect - in the form of loss of productivity, and spending on social welfare, education and law and order, the report's co-lead author Vikram Patel said.
The Lancet report found that in many countries, people with common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia routinely suffer gross human rights violations - including shackling, torture and imprisonment.
The report called for a human rights-based approach to ensure that people with mental health conditions are not denied fundamental human rights, including access to employment, education and other core life experiences.
The report was published ahead of a first global ministerial mental health summit in London this week.
For more Japanese stories and articles, follow us on Facebook.
