Yemen is undergoing a severe mental health crisis, exacerbated by prolonged armed conflict, economic instability, and a fragile healthcare infrastructure. The civil war has significantly disrupted health service delivery, leaving over half of the population without access to essential care, with mental health services among the most affected. This chapter examines the key barriers to mental health care in Yemen and explores potential strategies to enhance service accessibility. It provides an overview of the historical development of mental health services, assesses the current burden of mental disorders, and analyzes the growing demand resulting from widespread violence, forced displacement, and social fragmentation. Critical challenges include a severe shortage of trained mental health professionals, inadequate healthcare facilities, limited financial resources, and persistent cultural stigma surrounding mental illness. To address these challenges, the chapter proposes a multifaceted approach that includes increased investment in mental health, equitable distribution of human resources, integration of mental health into primary care, public education campaigns, and collaboration between traditional and biomedical practitioners to expand access and reduce stigma.

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Mental Health in Yemen

  • Mohammed Hussein Aljalei,
  • Asma’a Munasar Alsubari

摘要

Yemen is undergoing a severe mental health crisis, exacerbated by prolonged armed conflict, economic instability, and a fragile healthcare infrastructure. The civil war has significantly disrupted health service delivery, leaving over half of the population without access to essential care, with mental health services among the most affected. This chapter examines the key barriers to mental health care in Yemen and explores potential strategies to enhance service accessibility. It provides an overview of the historical development of mental health services, assesses the current burden of mental disorders, and analyzes the growing demand resulting from widespread violence, forced displacement, and social fragmentation. Critical challenges include a severe shortage of trained mental health professionals, inadequate healthcare facilities, limited financial resources, and persistent cultural stigma surrounding mental illness. To address these challenges, the chapter proposes a multifaceted approach that includes increased investment in mental health, equitable distribution of human resources, integration of mental health into primary care, public education campaigns, and collaboration between traditional and biomedical practitioners to expand access and reduce stigma.