Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Bangladesh

According to the latest mental health survey, the prevalence of mental illness among children and adolescents is 12.6% in Bangladesh. Though in recent times child and adolescent mental health services have undergone significant development in our country still it is not sufficient to meet the needs of the population. Child and adolescent mental health resources both in manpower and facilities are extremely scarce and maldistributed. Additionally, there is a lack of standard training and research in this field. Lack of awareness, high level of stigma and unfavorable beliefs, attitudes and behavior make the condition more complicated. Affordable, culturally suitable, local resources-based services can help to combat the condition. This chapter discusses the epidemiology of child psychiatric disorders, history, current status and challenges of child and adolescent mental health services in Bangladesh.