Mental health in Asia: Social improvements and challenges

Remarkable improvements in economic conditions and a considerable upgrade i n the quality of life have been observed in many parts of Asia during the p ast several decades. At the same time. many mental health challenges face t he people of Asia. Various social mental health indexes are reviewed here, with available data from China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and othe r Asian societies. The data are compared with data from the United States, Australia in the Pacific Rim, and some other Western countries to examine p atterns of similarity or difference between East and West in the process of modernization. Common trends in mental health issues associated with rapid sociocultural change observed in different Asian societies are discussed, as well as the relative shortage of mental health personnel available in ma ny Asian societies. It is emphasized that, in addition to Expanding psychia tric services, there is an even more urgent need to promote mental health k nowledge and concern through education in the general population. Mental he alth needs to be cultivated and maintained by social forces and cultural st rengths. It is stressed that there is a challenge for Asian people to advan ce mental health beyond economic development in the 21st century.