The Dual Crisis: Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the Modern World

R
Canva
data cleaning
exploratory data analysis
plot aesthetics
ggplot2
Author

Arindam Baruah

Published

November 14, 2024

Figure 1: Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the Modern World

Key takeaway

Figure 1 illustrates the infographic titled “The Dual Crisis: Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the Modern World” highlights the alarming global trends in drug use, mental health, and substance-related deaths. It emphasises that men are disproportionately affected by drug-related mortality. Deaths from mental health and substance use disorders have significantly increased, especially in the U.S. and Canada, with a sharp spike following the COVID-19 pandemic. Among middle-aged individuals, those aged 15 to 49—especially working professionals in high-stress environments—are most affected by substance use disorders, suggesting work-related stress as a major contributing factor.

Tobacco remains the most lethal substance, causing over 7.2 million deaths annually—three times more than alcohol and significantly higher than illicit drugs. However, there’s a positive trend in declining cigarette consumption, with usage falling since 1974 and projections suggesting continued decline. On the other hand, the data also presents a concerning rise in synthetic drug use, with opioid overdose deaths surging by 58 times since 1990. The data underscores the urgent need for mental health support, particularly in high-stress industries, where professionals are at an elevated risk of substance dependence. Employers’ lack of adequate mental health support is also highlighted as a critical issue.

Some good news

This data visualisation infographic entry for the Matilda Viz 2024 edition, hosted by the University of Sydney, has made it to the top 10 finalists!

References

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