Mental disorders are a major public health issue, with the 2019 Global Burden of Disease report showing a rise in disability-adjusted life years from 80 million to over 125 million, making mental illness one of the top ten causes of disability worldwide. Mental healthcare, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), remains underfunded, leaving many issues untreated and leading to long-term social and economic consequences. Addressing this growing burden requires a focus on prevention that promotes well-being and reduces the risk of mental illness.

While mental health prevention and promotion are recognized as cost-effective, they are underutilized, especially in LMICs. Promoting well-being and addressing risk factors are crucial to preventing mental illness. Evidence supports the effectiveness of preventive measures, including early identification and digital interventions. However, most research and implementation are focused in high-income countries, leaving LMICs with limited access. More research is needed to develop sustainable and scalable mental health programs tailored to low-resource settings.

Reference: Singh V, Kumar A, Gupta S. Mental Health Prevention and Promotion-A Narrative Review. Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:898009. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.898009.