The Ministry of Health has encouraged relevant institutions to join in promoting mental health and urged health training institutions (HTIs) to establish training programmes tailored to people’s needs.

Minister Chheang Ra made the remarks while presiding over the December 27 launch of the Mental Health Strategic Plan 2023-32, according to a ministry social media post.

He explained that the nation’s development depends on both the physical and mental health of its people. 

Promoting mental health, he added, contributes significantly to the economic growth of individuals, families and the broader society, as psychological well-being is crucial for overall health and quality human resources.

“The policy and strategic plan are not sufficient if we do not implement them. Our activities must clearly reflect our vision and be measured, involving development partners and all relevant parties to provide additional support with resources and means,” he added.

The minister emphasised that the civil war had caused widespread trauma affecting generations, making it imperative to focus more on emotional wellness.

“I encourage collaboration with relevant institutions … to promote and prevent mental health issues. In particular, there is a need to establish a mental health training programme and include it in public health training to meet the needs of the people,” he stated.

Ra called on national and sub-national health services departments to expand mental healthcare, consultation services and hospitalisation to achieve universal health coverage.

Yim Sotheary, director of the Sneha Centre, a private counseling facility, noted that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the country witnessed an increase in mental health crises. 

She said the pandemic also provided an opportunity for many young people and institutions to engage in discussions on the subject, adding that while many discussed the issue, there was a common misconception, conflating mental health with mental illness.

According to Sotheary, mental health is part of overall physical and emotional well-being, whereas mental illness pertains to conditions like depression and anxiety.

“Therefore, once we prevent depression and anxiety, we improve our mental health. To maintain good mental health, we need to change our habits, such as consumption, thinking, sleeping and how we care for ourselves. Additionally, fostering positive relationships both at home and externally is beneficial,” she explained. 

She noted that most current mental health issues occur in adults experiencing depression and anxiety, often stemming from childhood, parental and social trauma.

“I advise everyone, especially adults, to consider mental health as an integral part of overall health. When we are ill, we should consult specialists about both mental and physical healthcare. It’s important to maintain a positive outlook during negative times,” she stated.

The health ministry said it has launched mental illness examination and treatment services at various levels. Specialised services are available in 10 national and referral hospitals across the country. Local services are provided in 97 hospitals across various the capital, provinces and districts, and primary services are offered in 355 health centres.