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Global Mental Health: Implications for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Gordana Milavic

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK

Background/Objective: Mental, neurological and substance-use (MNS) disorders constitute 13% of
the global burden of disease. (1) There are 2.2 billion children and adolescents in the world, almost a
third of the world’s entire population. 90% live in low-income and middle-income countries(LAMIC)
where they constitute 35–50% of the population.(2) 20 % of young people suffer with mental health
problems.

Method: The epidemiological data relevant to the burden of mental illness in children and
adolescents are presented with reference to evidence based interventions aimed at alleviating this
burden. Children in conflicts, disasters, forced labour, and children who live on the streets, or who
are affected by trafficking are the most vulnerable groups: mechanisms underlying this vulnerability
are explored.

Result: Reference is made to effective, culturally sensitive interventions for improving child mental
health specifically in LAMIC countries.

Conclusion: The need for child and adolescent mental health is not met anywhere in the world
requiring more research into the burden, risk and protective factors, interventions and models of care
in different parts of the world.

Reference: Reference 1 Collins, P et al. Nature. 2011 Jul 6; 475(7354): 27–30.
Reference 2 Kieling et al. The Lancet, 22 October 2011, Volume 378, Issue 9801, Pages 1515 - 1525,