Mental Health In Cambodia

Mental Health Services in Cambodia – Progress and Challenges

Mental health services in Cambodia have evolved significantly, shaped by the country’s traumatic history under the Khmer Rouge regime and its long-lasting psychological impact. The genocide severely disrupted Cambodia’s healthcare system, leaving the population with widespread trauma and very few trained mental health professionals. As a result, conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and culturally specific trauma expressions like “baksbat” (broken courage) continue to affect multiple generations.

Early mental health support was provided mainly through international aid and NGO-led trauma services, establishing the foundation for future mental healthcare development. Progress remained slow until the early 21st century, when increased economic stability and government initiatives allowed greater investment in mental health services.

Today, Cambodia’s mental health system is gradually expanding, especially in urban areas like Phnom Penh, where services are integrated into primary healthcare and more trained professionals are available. Key institutions—including the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, CCAMH, and TPO Cambodia offer a range of psychiatric and psychotherapeutic services, including CBT, family therapy, and play therapy. Local training programs are also helping to build expertise in diverse therapeutic approaches.

Despite this progress, significant challenges remain. Access to mental health care in rural Cambodia is limited, the number of trained mental health professionals remains low, and private therapy services are often unaffordable for lower-income populations. While strides have been made, Cambodia’s mental health system continues to face issues of accessibility, affordability, and sustainability, highlighting the ongoing need for professional mental health support across the country.