Asian Together’s Month May 2024: Southeast Asian Mental Health

By Chloe Phan

Introduction:

A total of eleven countries compose the southeast region of Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. From the never-ending islands in Indonesia to the lowland plains of Vietnam, each country consists of its own flourishing culture complemented by a rich history to create the distinct region we know as Southeast Asia. With stretches of land and sea extending to an impressive five million square miles and populations reaching over half a billion, it can be easily recognizable how Southeast Asia is perhaps one of the most diverse regions on our earth. Yet this region is not at all without its challenges, particularly mental health. Mental illnesses make up a substantial load of the population’s overall health condition, which is why promoting services for mental health conditions is so vital. Too many times people go untreated leading to premature death, dying 10-20 years earlier than the average person. More action is essential to end these unmet levels of treatment. 

Mental health issues in Southeast Asia:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every four people with mental disorders globally lives in Southeast Asia, the most common being anxiety and depression. Both are especially dangerous as these two disorders are commonly intertwined, capable of impairing one’s overall ability to live. Anxiety is characterized by intense feelings of fear, dread, or worry. However, this description just scratches the surface since anxiety certainly gets more complex as we delve further into the intricacies of this topic. For instance, there exist several types of anxiety disorders—ranging from social phobias, and specific phobias, to panic disorders. The risks that pair with this anxious style are the damaged relationships it causes as a result of social isolation and can even bring on depression. Depression is another severe mood disorder, as it affects how a person feels, thinks, and impacts their daily habits. Symptoms can become extremely alarming, influencing one to induce self-harm, substance abuse, and even have suicidal thoughts. Both anxiety and depression together can conclude a very destructive behavior, making mental health such a key issue to bring light to.

The current situation:

Exposure to specific environments can certainly lead to detrimental effects on Southeast Asian communities. Numerous factors come into play that influence the mental health of a population including social, cultural, and economic environments. Particularly in Southeast Asia, a high prevalence of stigma exists, generating discrimination against those who have mental health issues. Stigma is a major obstacle that makes it difficult for people to receive the treatment they need because their rights often face violation. What makes it even more difficult is the availability of actual treatment that can be done. Data collected by the World Health Organization mental health atlas reveal “investment in mental health services remains very low across the Region and is below US$ 1 per capita in several countries.” Evidently, there’s a significant mental health care treatment gap that cannot meet the needs of this region. As the World Health Organization has gathered, the cases of mental health have been stagnant from the past two decades. With a mix of this static number and minimal investment, it’s clear no apt effort has been accomplished to curtail mental health issues in Southeast Asia. All of these costs are a critical barrier hindering many from acquiring the aid they need, magnifying the trouble Southeast Asians must go through concerning fostering their mental health. 

Steps towards a better future:

There needs to be more attainable ways to access mental health care systems—one not riddled by stigma or excessive costs, and one that permits equity for everyone all around. These services should be free to be shared by everyone, fostering a universal right to good mental health services and nourishing empowerment rather than helplessness. 

The first way to assemble more obtainable health care is by targeting the root: stigma. Stigma can come in many forms whether it be from public discrimination, systemic policies, or self internalization This social construct creates barriers that block people from attaining the support they need, worsening their condition. Because it is so distressing, it is also so critical to take steps towards reducing stigma. The Tennessee State Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services recommends educating yourself and others, enabling more people to talk openly about these subjects. This will encourage ideas of conscious language usage and instill the truth that mental disorders are a very real, debilitating condition that is to be taken as seriously as any other illness.

As discussed earlier, another significant complication is the economic costs associated with treatment. In Southeast Asia, investment in sufficient mental health services often goes untouched. More policy involvement in expanding programs such as health insurance is fundamental so Southeast Asians are free to nurture their mental state. We as a community can raise awareness on such issues, bringing attention to the importance of high-quality mental health care so larger policymakers will have to take into consideration the needs of their communities. 

The bigger picture:

The Southeast region of Asia is such a beautiful treasure of our world containing a vibrant blend of people that needs to be protected from the risks with mental health. Communities have had enough problems with mental disorders like anxiety or depression, it’s clear a change must be brought. From overcoming stigma to advocating for the implementation of better policies, as a society we can be the change towards a better future and a better lif

Works Cited

“Anxiety disorders.” Better Health Channel, State of Victoria, 14 Oct. 2022. www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/anxiety-disorders. Accessed 21 May 2024. 

Bruni, Andrea, et al. “Community-based mental health services in the WHO South-East Asia Region.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/376717/9789290211372-eng.pdf?sequence=1. Accessed 20 May 2024. 

Bruni, Andrea, et al. “Mental health conditions in the WHO South-East Asia Region.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 

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“Depression.” National Institute of Mental Health, March 2024, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression#:~:text=What%20is%20depression%3F,sleeping%2C%20eating%2C%20or%20working. Accessed 22 May 2024. 

Frederick, William, et al. “Southeast Asia.” Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 25 May, 2024, www.britannica.com/place/Southeast-Asia. Accessed 20 May 2024. 

Gillison, Daniel. “​​Two ways we can increase access to mental health care for underserved populations.” Philanthropy News Digest, Candid, 21 July 2022, philanthropynewsdigest.org/features/commentary-and-opinion/two-ways-we-can-increase-access-to-mental-health-care-for-underserved-populations. Accessed 24 May 2024.

Lennon, Christopher, et al. “Priorities for research promoting mental health in the south and east of Asia.” The Lancet, Elsevier Ltd., 9 Oct. 2023, www.thelancet.com/journals/lansea/article/PIIS2772-3682(23)00147-6/fulltext#%20. Accessed 20 May 2024. 

“Reducing Stigma.” Tennessee State Government, www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/stigma.html#:~:text=Easy%20Ways%20You%20Can%20Reduce%20Stigma,-The%20National%20Alliance&text=Talk%20openly%20about%20mental%20health,remind%20people%20that%20words%20matter. Accessed 24 May 2024.

Yang, Calvin. “1 in 7 in Southeast Asia live with a mental health condition, treatment gap in some countries is ‘huge’: WHO official.” Channels News Asia, Medicorp, 10 Oct. 2023, www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/world-health-organization-southeast-asia-andrea-bruni-mental-health-day-wellness-disorders-suicide-treatment-3834676. Accessed 22 May 2024.