In the WHO South-East Asia Region, the realm of mental health conditions remains shrouded in uncertainty due to the dearth of comprehensive data and information. Key aspects such as (a) the overall burden associated with each mental disorder; (b) the extent to which treatment and interventions meet or fail to meet the demand; and (c) the patterns and financial implications of treatment, all continue to remain inadequately understood. This predicament is not unique to this region alone; it mirrors a global challenge where insights from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study are primarily utilized in conjunction with the WHO Global Health Estimates (GHE) to, at the very least, gauge the total burden stemming from mental health conditions.
In this inaugural analysis, our endeavor is to unveil pivotal findings from a comparative study of the mental health burden within the South-East Asia Region. We have harnessed the latest estimates from GBD and GHE, conveying these findings in terms of critical indicators: the prevalence of years lost to disability (YLDs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Whenever possible, we’ve further dissected the data by gender and sex to provide a more nuanced perspective. The central focus of this report revolves around mental, neurological, and substance use disorders, as well as self-harm and suicide, collectively referred to as MNSS.
Furthermore, this comprehensive report casts a spotlight on the profound impact of mental health conditions on children and delves into the requisites concerning human resources and financial investments necessary for the mental health sector.
Key findings encapsulate data related to:
- Mental disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Self-harm and suicide
- The burden of mental, neurological, and substance use conditions among children
- The healthcare system’s response, encompassing financial commitments and human resource allocation, in the realm of mental health.
This comprehensive analysis serves as a vital stepping stone toward a better understanding of the mental health landscape within the WHO South-East Asia Region, shedding light on areas that necessitate further attention and investment.
