Access and Experiences of Care: Mental Health and Psychosocial Services and Support in the Maldives

Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders are a rising global concern and are projected to become the leading cause of disease burden by 2030. Despite the growing need, treatment access remains inadequate in low- and middle-income countries, and this is evident in the Maldives, where mental health morbidity is high, and services remain centralized and difficult to access.

This report, conducted in partnership with the Maldivian Nurses Association, is drawn from interviews with service providers and focus group discussions with service users, caregivers, and community members across 13 atolls. It explores how people recognize problems, what they call them, where they turn first, what happens when they try to seek help, and how providers manage growing demand in an overstretched system. This study addresses a critical evidence gap by conducting one of the first island-wide inquiries into experiences of access to mental health and psychosocial support services in the Maldives.

The findings offer context-specific insights to support national strategies, decentralization efforts, and reforms that improve the equity and effectiveness of mental healthcare delivery across the Maldives. The recommendations are organized into four strategic priorities and translated into concrete, realistic actions for government, professional bodies, providers, civil society, and community organizations.