Global Emotional Wellbeing: Understanding and Improving Mental Health Trends

In a recent report from Gallup, **State of the World’s Emotional Health**, we see that negative emotions around the globe are still higher than they were a decade ago, even after a decrease from pandemic levels. This matters because our emotions connect to broader issues like peace and health. Societies with more distress often have less peace, and emotions such as anger and sadness can signal problems in wellbeing.

Gallup surveyed 144 countries in 2024 and found that many adults are feeling stressed. Specifically, 39% worried a lot the previous day, 37% felt stressed, 26% reported sadness, and 22% experienced anger. Despite this, some positive emotions have remained stable. For example, 88% of adults felt respected, the highest level recorded by Gallup.

Understanding how emotional wellbeing relates to peace is crucial. Gallup compared the negative feelings people experience to two peace indexes: the Global Peace Index and the Positive Peace Index. The Global Peace Index gauges the absence of violence, while the Positive Peace Index looks at the conditions that sustain long-term stability. Generally, countries with lower peace scores show more negative emotions.

For instance, higher levels of sadness, worry, and anger are found in conflict-prone areas. Interestingly, these negative emotions persist even when considering a country’s wealth. This suggests that economic factors alone don’t fully explain emotional distress in less peaceful societies.

Moreover, negative emotions often correspond with lower life expectancy. When people report high levels of distress, they may have shorter lives, indicating a critical link between our daily emotions and overall health.

While we’re seeing an uptick in negative emotions, it’s worth noting that they can act as vital signals for leaders. Understanding these feelings can help design policies that target both peace and health improvements. The data is clear: where peace thrives, so does emotional and physical wellbeing. The ongoing conversation about emotional health is essential for creating better, more resilient societies.

For further insights, you can explore the full report from Gallup [here](https://www.gallup.com/analytics/349280/state-of-worlds-emotional-health.aspx). It’s a crucial look at how our emotions reflect broader societal issues and highlight the need for strengthened policies in times of distress.

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