title: Mental health services in Cambodia, challenges and opportunities in a post-conflict setting.
abstract: Cambodia had suffered enormously due to war and internecine conflict during the latter half of the twentieth century, more so during the Vietnam War. Total collapse of education and health systems during the Pol Pot era continues to be a challenge for developing the necessary infrastructure and human resources to provide basic minimum mental health care which is compounded by the prevailing cultural belief and stigma over mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders (MNSDs). The mental health research and services in Cambodia had been predominantly 'trauma focused', a legacy of war, and there is a need to move toward epidemiologically sound public health oriented mental health policy and service development. Integrating mental health program with primary health care services with specifically stated minimum package of activities at primary level and complementary package of activities at secondary level is an opportunity to meet the needs and rights of persons with mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders (PWMNSDs) in Cambodia, provided there is mental health leadership, government commitment and political will.
authors.affiliation: Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Chey Chumneas Hospital Takhmau, Kandal Province, Cambodia. Electronic address: drbhoomikumarj@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bhoomikumar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jegannathan
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Umeå, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden. Electronic address: gunnarkullgren@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kullgren
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sg. Long, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: parameshvara@utar.edu.my.
authors.forename: Parameshvara
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deva
mesh_terms: D002160:Cambodia; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services
keywords: Cambodia; Challenges; Mental health; Opportunities; Post-conflict setting