Trends of Mental Illnesses Across Developing Countries in Africa and Asia

AIM: Mental illness significantly influences national development by reflecting a nation's socioeconomic well-being. This study compares mental illness trends in developing countries in Asia and Africa. METHODS: Secondary data from the mental health depression disorder data set (2000-2017) were analyzed for Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, and Ghana. Key disorders examined include depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, substance use disorder, and bipolar disorder. RESULTS: Schizophrenia, anxiety, and bipolar disorder remained relatively stable across countries. Schizophrenia was highest in Bangladesh, while bipolar disorder was more prevalent in Nigeria and India. Depression declined in Bangladesh and India but increased steadily in Nigeria and Ghana. Anxiety correlated strongly with depression in Bangladesh and Nigeria. In Ghana, anxiety and bipolar disorder together increased depression. In India, all mental illnesses except bipolar disorder were linked to increased depression. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding mental illness in a global context is vital for developing targeted mental health interventions and restructuring the systems in developing countries.