Human resources for mental health: workforce shortages in low- and middle-income countries

Overview

Mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders account for an estimated 14% of the global burden of disease, yet mental health routinely receives a low funding priority from governments. While evidence indicates there are insufficient numbers of mental health workers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to meet the  population needs, there are no rigorous estimates of the size of the mental health workforce shortage and the wage bill that would be required to remove the shortage. 

This report aims to fill that gap by estimating the number of mental health workers required to treat MNS conditions. The workforce shortage is estimated based on comparing this needed number of mental health workers with the supply. The wage bill required to remove the shortage is based on mental health worker wages.