Unveiling mental health challenges among Myanmar’s youth in the dual crises of political instability and COVID-19, exploring pathways for intervention
This presentation was made at the 8th Global Symposium on Health Systems Research in Japan in November 2024 by Zay Yar Swe of Burnet Institute.
Mental health services in Myanmar are under great strain. Cultural, economic and financial stressors are impacting on wellbeing (the poverty rate has soared from 16% to 63% recently), intensifying mental health struggles and with young people particularly affected. Disruptions to public services have led to greater reliance on private health providers.
This study explored mental health needs, care-seeking behaviour, and service-delivery preferences of people aged 16-24 in Yangon and Magway, with the aim of informing a new community-based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Intervention Package.