Comparing mental health supports
By Dr. Navodhi Hewage
Mental health has gradually moved from the margins to the mainstream in many Western societies, while in Sri Lanka it remains an area that requires significant growth in acceptance, accessibility, and institutional support. Although both contexts face challenges, Western countries are on a more forward trajectory due to sustained investment, public awareness, and cultural shifts that recognise mental health as an essential component of overall wellbeing. Sri Lanka, by contrast, continues to struggle with stigma, limited resources, and gaps between policy and practice.
In much of the Western world, mental health is increasingly treated as a public health priority rather than a private issue. Governments fund national mental health services, crisis response systems, and community-based care, allowing individuals to seek help through multiple entry points such as general practitioners, schools, workplaces, and helplines. Importantly, public conversations around mental health are visible and normalised through media, education systems, and advocacy by public figures. This growing acceptance has encouraged early help-seeking and reduced the shame historically associated with psychological distress, even though stigma has not been eliminated entirely.
Sri Lanka lags behind in this area of public acceptance. Mental health concerns are often minimised, dismissed, or misunderstood, particularly when symptoms are not visibly severe. Emotional distress is frequently framed as a lack of resilience, poor character, or a problem that should be endured rather than treated. This cultural mindset discourages individuals from acknowledging their struggles and delays intervention. Sri Lanka could improve by investing in sustained public education campaigns that frame mental health as common, treatable, and worthy of care, similar to how Western countries have addressed issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention.
Accessibility is another key area where the Western world demonstrates a more advanced trajectory. While waiting times can be long, most Western countries offer structured pathways to care, including publicly funded therapy, specialised services for youth and vulnerable populations, and digital mental health platforms that extend reach. Teletherapy and online resources have expanded access, particularly for those in remote areas. Sri Lanka, in contrast, faces a severe shortage of trained mental health professionals, especially outside major cities. Expanding training programmes, integrating mental health into primary care, and utilising task-sharing models could significantly improve access.
Western systems also emphasise early intervention and prevention, particularly among children and adolescents. Mental health education in schools, counselling services, and safeguarding frameworks help identify issues before they escalate. Sri Lanka has limited school-based mental health support, and emotional wellbeing is rarely addressed systematically in educational settings. Strengthening these structures would help reduce long-term societal and economic costs associated with untreated mental illness.
Moving forward, Sri Lanka’s progress depends not only on increasing funding, but on shifting attitudes. The Western experience demonstrates that change is possible when mental health is openly discussed, institutionally supported, and culturally accepted. By prioritising awareness, decentralised services, and early intervention, Sri Lanka can move toward a more inclusive and effective mental health system that better serves its population.
(Dr. Navodhi Hewage BSc., MSc., PsyD., IBA., RPsych is a clinical psychologist and can been reached on [email protected])
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official position of this publication.
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