Mental health experts and professionals in Cambodia are raising alarms over a significant and growing mental health crisis, which they attribute to mounting economic pressures, debt, and widespread poverty. Despite official reassurances from the government, experts argue that the crisis is a serious public health issue that requires urgent and comprehensive government action.
Economic Hardship Fuels Mental Health Decline
According to health and mental health experts, a growing number of citizens are experiencing both mild and severe mental health crises. The president of the Association of Counselors and Psychologists, Mr. Hou Sethul, emphasizes that poverty, hunger, and financial hardship are directly linked to mental and physical well-being. "When we face poverty... it affects everything," he stated, noting that the mental health crisis is now impacting younger Cambodians, particularly those aged 19-20 who are beginning to take on family responsibilities.
Mr. Hou Sethul also warned that this distress can have intergenerational effects, manifesting as anger, stress, and domestic violence that can be passed on to children.
Government Data vs. Public Reality
While Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen have promoted their leadership as bringing peace, the Ministry of Health's own data paints a worrying picture. A report released on March 3 showed a dramatic spike in recorded mental illness cases, from just over 8,792 in 2023 to nearly 300,000 in 2024.
Health Minister Chheang Ra attributed this increase to a rise in public confidence in medical services, suggesting that more people are now seeking treatment. However, experts like Mr. Hou Sethul believe the numbers only represent a fraction of the true scope of the problem. Many people, they say, are afraid to seek help due to stigma and a lack of understanding about where to find effective treatment.
Furthermore, Mr. Hou Sethul observed that existing mental health services are inadequate. State hospitals often dispense medication without offering psychological counseling, which is essential for patient recovery.
Systemic Failures and Broader Concerns
Former senior official of the Pailin Provincial Health Department, Khem Monikosal, attributes the mental health crisis to the government's inability to provide proper public services, which he claims are riddled with corruption and a lack of quality care. He believes the most affected groups are farmers, businesspeople, and impoverished families struggling with debt and unstable income. He also noted that victims of land disputes and political problems are particularly vulnerable.
Mr. Monikosal argues that without significant systemic reform, these crises will only worsen. "As long as they have power, they can do whatever they want. So the crisis will not be solved. It will only get worse," he claimed.
These concerns are supported by broader data. A UNICEF report from October 2023 revealed that in 2022, nearly 900 people died by suicide in Cambodia, with most victims being between the ages of 15 and 19. The report also found that about half a million people are affected by depression or anxiety, underscoring the severity of the mental health challenge facing the nation.
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