Mental Health Care in the Middle East

This book aims to provide a comparative analysis of mental health service delivery in the Middle East to shed light on challenges and disparities in access to care. The Middle East is a region rich in diversity, covering various countries and cultures. Most observers have attested to the view that countries in the Middle East have a substantial treatment gap for people with mental illness. Only a tiny fraction of the population with mental illness can access evidence-based mental health care. There are multiple challenges associated with this region, including insufficient funding and research, a shortage of skilled professionals, substantial out-of-pocket expenses, low levels of mental health literacy, income inequality, and a high level of stigma. While governments are making efforts to address this gap through improved mental health policies and programmes, providing mental health care to all those in need remains a significant challenge. In addition, many Middle East countries are contending with conflicts, wars, terrorism, and all of which can potentially give rise to various behavioural and mental disorders.