Mental health problems on the rise amid limited treatment access

Mental health problems in the country are increasing due to rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles, and growing social pressures, while access to treatment remains very limited.

"National survey data show a steady rise in mental health disorders among adults – from 12% in 2001 to 16.1% in 2005, and 19% in 2019," Dr Rumana Haque, professor of Health Economics and Health Systems in the Department of Economics at the University of Dhaka, told The Business Standard.

"This upward trend clearly shows how mental health problems have increased over time," she added.

Infographics: TBS

Dr Rumana noted that rapid urbanisation, migration, changing lifestyles, social exclusion, chronic illness, poverty, and climate-related stress all contribute to the growing mental health burden.

Data from the National Institute of Mental Health show that the ten most common mental illnesses treated in Bangladesh are schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis, anxiety disorder, substance-related disorder, intellectual disability, obsessive-compulsive disorder, epilepsy, dementia, personality disorder, and conduct disorder. 

Schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis together account for about 74% of all treated cases.

Dr Helal Uddin Ahmed, a mental health specialist, told TBS that while the overall rate of mental disorders has remained mostly stable, cases of depression and suicide have increased. "The reasons are complex – as society advances, people face more complicated challenges that cause greater anxiety and stress," he said.

He pointed to global conflicts, climate change, social media pressure, and longer life expectancy leading to chronic diseases as key factors contributing to the global mental health burden, including in Bangladesh. 

"Even distant wars, like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affect us both economically and mentally. Climate change, heat waves, and natural disasters are also linked to higher rates of depression," he added.

Treatment gaps

A study titled "Mental Health Care Seeking Behaviour in Bangladesh: Determinants and Treatment Gaps", published on 8 August 2025 in BMC Psychiatry, found that about 90% of people with mental health conditions in Bangladesh do not seek or receive treatment. 

The study highlighted that mental healthcare remains underused nationwide and called for immediate policy action.

Using statistical analysis, the research found that having a person with a mental disorder in a household is the only significant factor that increases the likelihood of other family members seeking mental healthcare – by about 6%. This suggests that direct exposure encourages families to take action.

Dr Rumana, who is also the lead author of the study, said that Bangladesh lacks the infrastructure and trained professionals needed to meet the rising demand for care.

Schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis together account for about 74% of all treated cases

"There's a huge treatment gap – about 90% of people with mental health issues go untreated. We have very few psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors, while the national budget for mental health remains extremely low," she said.

According to Bangladesh's National Mental Health Policy, only 0.5% of the total health budget is spent on mental health.

Lack of Infrastructure, professionals

The country also faces a serious shortage of trained professionals. There are just 0.13 psychiatrists, 0.01 other specialist doctors, 0.87 mental health nurses, and 0.12 psychologists or similar professionals for every 100,000 people.

The National Institute of Mental Health in Dhaka offers inpatient and outpatient services with 400 beds, while Pabna Mental Hospital – the only full-scale psychiatric hospital outside the capital – has 500 beds. 

Bangladesh Medical University and some medical college hospitals also provide psychiatric care. Currently, Bangladesh has only 0.4 hospital beds per 100,000 people for mental health patients, with day-care or outpatient therapy facilities nearly non-existent.

To close the treatment gap, Dr Rumana urged joint efforts across sectors. She called on the health ministry to work with education, sports, women's affairs, and cultural ministries to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce stress, especially among youth and women. 

She stressed the need for parks, sports, and cultural activities to support mental well-being.

Dr Helal recommended including mental health in primary healthcare by training general physicians and frontline workers. 

"We must update the medical curriculum to include mental health education and train primary-level doctors to handle basic cases. This approach is also part of Bangladesh's mental health policy and action plan," he said.

He also stressed the importance of promoting mental health within schools and families through activities such as music, sports, and creative expression, adding that encouraging these practices is just as important as treatment itself.

Health experts also stress the urgent need for more investment and public awareness.

World Mental Health Day will be observed today, with this year's theme, "Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies."