National Mental Health Policy of Sri Lanka 2019-2030

  • Mapa Mudiyanselage Prabhath Piyasena (Participant)

Impact: Health Impact, Public Policy Impact, Public Service Impact, Quality of Life Impact, Societial Impact

Description of impact

I, Dr. Mapa Prabhath Piyasena have contributed and actively participated in a National Level Policy Review Team, under the guidance of Director - Policy Analysis and Development - Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine of Sri Lanka.

Who is affected

This policy recommends the development of mental health services for the treatment, rehabilitation, prevention of mental disorders and mental health promotion. Improvement and maintenance of quality of services will also be utmost importance. This policy provides a strategic framework and action plan to meet above needs by restructuring and expanding the capacity to deliver services at all levels (Reference: Preamble of the Policy).

Narrative

Worldwide, the burden of mental health disorders continues to grow, with significant impact on health, leading to major social and economic consequences (WHO 2015). Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders are common in all regions of the world, affecting every community and age groups across all countries. Fourteen percent of the global burden of disease is attributed to these disorders. In Sri Lanka, there is a wide gap in provision of mental health services based on the disease burden and need of the population. Moreover high rates of suicide, alcohol and substance abuse and psycho-social consequences of decades of conflict and war, remains as main challenges (Reference: Preamble of the Policy).
Impact statusCompleted
Impact date20202030
Category of impactHealth Impact, Public Policy Impact, Public Service Impact, Quality of Life Impact, Societial Impact
Impact levelBenefit

Keywords

  • Mental Health, Sri Lanka