Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2021 Nov 1;34(6):608-616.
doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000740.

Child and adolescent mental health services and systems in low and middle-income countries: from mapping to strengthening

Simphiwe R N Simelane  1 , Petrus J de Vries
Affiliations
Review

Child and adolescent mental health services and systems in low and middle-income countries: from mapping to strengthening

Simphiwe R N Simelane et al. Curr Opin Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Most of the world's children and adolescents live in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where mental health services are very limited. Here, we reviewed literature over the last 18 months describing the current landscape of child and adolescent mental health services and systems (CAMHSS) in LMICs, and present findings from systems strengthening research.

Recent findings: The challenges in CAMHSS are well described with little change over the last two decades. Fortunately, research has started to move from 'mapping' towards systems 'strengthening'. Using the WHO Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS) framework, we reviewed recent CAMHSS innovations. Clinical care and human resource innovations focused on primary care with validation of screening tools, training and task-sharing for capacity-building. Intersectoral collaboration emerged as a priority domain for strengthening, alongside a theme around the importance of participatory research to inform policy reforms. The potential role of digital technology to strengthen CAMHSS was identified as an emerging theme.

Summary: There is an urgent need to increase the priority of CAMHSS in LMICs. This will require innovations at multiple levels aimed at all CAMHSS domains, with active participation of all relevant local stakeholders to ensure the translation of research into policy and practice.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Moore TG, McDonald M, Carlon L, O’Rourke K. Early childhood development and the social determinants of health inequities. Health Promot Int 2015; 30:ii102–ii115.
    1. United Nations. Transforming our world: the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. New York United Nations, Dep Econ Soc Aff; 2015. https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b6e3e44.html [Accessed 18 May 2021]
    1. Kieling C, Baker-Henningham H, Belfer M, et al. Child and adolescent mental health worldwide: evidence for action. Lancet 2011; 378:1515–1525.
    1. de Figueiredo CS, Sandre PC, Portugal LC, et al. COVID-19 pandemic impact on children and adolescents’ mental health: biological, environmental, and social factors. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 106:110171.
    1. Patel V, Flisher AJ, Nikapota A, Malhotra S. Promoting child and adolescent mental health in low and middle income countries. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2008; 49:313–334.

Publication types