A comprehensive international study has unveiled significant variations in the prevalence of mental disorders among adolescents in Kenya, Indonesia, and Vietnam, filling crucial data gaps in the understanding of adolescent mental health in low- and middle-income countries.
Led by Associate Professor Holly Erskine from The University of Queensland’s School of Public Health and the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, the National Adolescent Mental Health Surveys (NAMHS) have provided critical insights into the mental health landscape of these diverse regions.
The surveys, which involved thousands of adolescents and their primary caregivers, revealed striking differences in the prevalence of mental disorders across the three countries. In Kenya, nearly 1 in 8 adolescents experienced a mental disorder in the 12 months preceding the survey, compared to 1 in 18 in Indonesia and 1 in 30 in Vietnam.
Dr. Erskine emphasized the necessity of country-specific data collection, cautioning against assumptions of homogeneity among low- and middle-income countries. She underscored the importance of further research to explore potential cultural and societal factors influencing these disparities, such as family dynamics and parenting styles.
Moreover, the study highlighted the heightened risk of suicidal behaviors and self-harm among adolescents with mental disorders across all three countries, underscoring the urgent need for targeted intervention strategies.
Professor James Scott, from UQ’s Child Health Research Centre, hailed NAMHS as a landmark endeavor, praising its innovative methodology for conducting high-quality, nationally representative surveys across diverse cultural contexts. The collaborative effort involved teams from five countries, working together to develop tailored questionnaires and methodologies.
Importantly, the involvement of local organizations within Kenya, Indonesia, and Vietnam played a crucial role, ensuring the study’s relevance to each country’s unique cultural and geographic landscape.
With Africa and Southeast Asia hosting some of the world’s youngest populations, the findings from NAMHS are poised to inform governmental policies and health initiatives, enabling more effective planning and prioritization of adolescent mental health services.
Funded by The University of Queensland in America (TUQIA), with support from Pivotal Ventures, a company founded by Melinda French Gates, NAMHS represents a significant step forward in understanding and addressing adolescent mental health disparities on a global scale.
