The Global Burden of Disease study shows that the burden from mental and substance use disorders, measured in Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), has steadily risen in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) over the last three decades and is higher than the global average for almost all EMR countries). Even more alarming is the finding that depression, self-harm, anxiety and conduct disorders constitute four of the top 10 causes of DALYs among girls and boys aged 15-19 years and suicide is a leading cause of adolescent mortality.
More than 70% of all mental disorders begin before the age of 25 years old. Risk factors for mental disorders include genetic pre-disposition, deficiencies in psychosocial or educational environments, alcohol and drug misuse, and family, peer or school problems.
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