MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE USE IN ADOLESCENTS IN KENYA, INDONESIA AND VIETNAM

Abstract

Background: Access to mental health services by adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is impeded by limited availability of mental health professionals and low mental health (MH) literacy. To date, there have been no national surveys of MH service usage by adolescents living in low resource settings. Objectives: To report the use of MH services and the MH literacy of adolescents living in Kenya, Indonesia and Vietnam. Methods: National Adolescent Mental Health Surveys were conducted in Kenya, Indonesia and Vietnam during 2021. Service use questions were asked of all participants, regardless of whether any mental disorder symptoms had been endorsed. It was recognised that the services used in low resource settings may include providers beyond formal healthcare services. For this reason, a broad range of service providers were included across health, education, religious/traditional and other sectors. All questions were asked to the parent, except for informal support and selfhelp strategies which were asked of the adolescent. Findings: There were very low rates of MH service use across the three countries. For example, only 2.0% of adolescents in Indonesia had used any service that provides support or counselling for emotional and behavioural problems in the past 12 months, with the majority of adolescents only accessing services once. Adolescents in low resource settings were more likely to speak to a family member about their worries or concerns. Conclusion: MH service use is low in LMICs; however, adolescents seek support for their MH problems from informal supports.