TY - JOUR
T1 - Mental health services in Egypt, the Middle East, and North Africa
AU - Okasha, Tarek
AU - Shaker, Nermin M.
AU - El-Gabry, Dina Aly
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Institute of Psychiatry and Johns Hopkins University.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - This review provides insight into the contemporary challenges and initiatives in mental health care across Egypt, the Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) region. It examines the structural barriers, including fragmented public health systems and inadequate resource allocation, which hinder access to mental health services. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, prompting innovative approaches like telepsychiatry and the establishment of specialized psychiatric hospitals. Despite advancements in psychiatric education and research, disparities persist, particularly in rural mental health care. Limited funding, workforce shortages, and barriers to accessing medications and post-hospitalization support further compound the issue. International and local efforts aim to address these challenges, with a focus on enhancing child and adolescent mental health services and supporting populations affected by the refugee crisis. Policy reforms, increased financial allocation, and workforce development are essential for overcoming these obstacles and ensuring equitable access to quality mental health care throughout the MENA region. This review underscores the urgent need for collaborative action to improve mental health outcomes and reduce disparities in the region.
AB - This review provides insight into the contemporary challenges and initiatives in mental health care across Egypt, the Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) region. It examines the structural barriers, including fragmented public health systems and inadequate resource allocation, which hinder access to mental health services. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, prompting innovative approaches like telepsychiatry and the establishment of specialized psychiatric hospitals. Despite advancements in psychiatric education and research, disparities persist, particularly in rural mental health care. Limited funding, workforce shortages, and barriers to accessing medications and post-hospitalization support further compound the issue. International and local efforts aim to address these challenges, with a focus on enhancing child and adolescent mental health services and supporting populations affected by the refugee crisis. Policy reforms, increased financial allocation, and workforce development are essential for overcoming these obstacles and ensuring equitable access to quality mental health care throughout the MENA region. This review underscores the urgent need for collaborative action to improve mental health outcomes and reduce disparities in the region.
KW - Arab world
KW - Egypt
KW - Mental health
KW - services
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85204550634&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85204550634&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09540261.2024.2400143
DO - 10.1080/09540261.2024.2400143
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85204550634
SN - 0954-0261
JO - International Review of Psychiatry
JF - International Review of Psychiatry
ER -