Mental Health Effects of Disaster and Climate Change in Afghanistan, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka
摘要
South Asia is one of the most disaster-prone and affected areas in the world. Afghanistan, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka are the three South Asian countries with low- and middle-income country backgrounds and different geographical and sociopolitical characteristics. Both man-made disasters (war and sociopolitical unrest) and natural disasters (floods, landslides, droughts, tsunamis, and cyclones) are prevalent in the countries. Anxiety disorders, depression, acute stress reactions, post-traumatic stress disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior are common mental disorders with some variations in various disasters and populations. Along with the enduring mental health burden, these countries are struggling to cope with disaster and climate change induced mental health burden. This chapter sheds light on the disaster, climate changes and their impact on mental health in Afghanistan, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.