Mental disorders affect 11% of population of Kyrgyzstan

Mental disorders affect 11% of the population of Kyrgyzstan, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Kyrgyzstan said, Kabar reports.

Thus, a roundtable discussion on current mental health issues in the country was organized by the WHO Kyrgyzstan in partnership with the Kyrgyz Health Ministry and public health associations to mark World Mental Health Day.

Discussions focused on the need to improve mental health care for children and adolescents, identify barriers to mental health services and propose solutions to prevent long-term problems in adulthood and the workplace.

According to recent data, 11% of Kyrgyzstan's population suffers from mental disorders (Mental Health Investment Case 2024), and bullying affects nearly one-third of adolescents in Kyrgyzstan, affecting their physical and mental health and leading to low school engagement, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and lack of self-esteem (Health Behavior in School-Age Children 2022).

Roundtable participants also touched on the World Mental Health Day theme of Mental Health at Work, highlighting the growing need for mental health support in the workplace, as an estimated 15% of working-age adults will suffer from a mental health disorder in 2019. Globally, depression and anxiety result in the loss of around 12 billion working days per year, costing the economy an estimated $1 trillion in lost productivity each year.

“The importance of mental health cannot be overemphasized - it is the cornerstone of a full and balanced life. Investment in mental health services is essential to build a society in which everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential both in and outside the workplace,” said Liviu Vedrasco, WHO Representative to Kyrgyzstan.