Increasing knowledge on adolescent mental health in low- and middle-income countries: The National Adolescent Mental Health Surveys.

Abstract

Background: There are limited prevalence data available for mental disorders in adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The National Adolescent Mental Health Surveys (NAMHS) measured the prevalence of six common mental disorders, along with self-harm and suicidal behaviours, associated risk and protective factors, and service use in adolescents aged 10-17 years in Kenya, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The challenges and opportunities arising from large scale epidemiological mental health research in low resource settings are discussed. MEASUREMENT OF MENTAL DISORDERS IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: Diagnostic criteria for mental disorders are largely informed by evidence and experiences from high-income countries. NAMHS reports a low prevalence of adolescent mental disorders in Indonesia and Vietnam, suggesting there is much that the Global North can learn from the Global South in relation to population mental health. Improving population mental health requires a public health approach which focuses on promotion of wellbeing, increased community cohesion, and prevention of exposure to risk factors in early life.

Conclusion: NAMHS significantly advances knowledge of adolescent mental health in LMICs. These data provide a baseline from which future trends of mental health in these countries can be compared. This will be increasingly important as the world faces ongoing challenges, such as conflict and climate change, which will inevitably affect global mental health.