Mental health problems in Ethiopia: efforts for better evidence and services

Abstract

In Ethiopia mental health issues are gaining more attention in the last two decades because of better quality and increasing number of evidences generated from clinical as well as field research. In a country where malnutrition and infectious diseases are claiming thousands of young lives however mental health problems have not obtained top priorities. The number and diversity of evidences necessary for decision making is perhaps not yet adequate considering the challenges faced by the researchers to advance the stat of knowledge in the local context. Insufficient funding, brain drain and limited research infrastructure are major challenges (1).