Buddhist teaching is a tool for mental health support in Cambodia

Although Cambodia seems to be walking forward in incorporating Buddhism in mental health support practices, other Asian countries have previously attempted to connect the Buddhist teachings to mental health support programmes.

Bhutan has begun turning to Buddhism to play this kind of role since early 2018. The Bhutanese government passed a five-year action plan from 2018 to 2023 on suicide prevention in the country, which aims to call religious actors to collaborate with public institutions to address mental health issues. .

On the same line, Cambodia should use the available resources to address the mental health needs of its citizens. Buddhism, together with more common mental health support practices, has the potential to play a life-changing role in thousands of Cambodians who are struggling with mental health issues or trauma. It would be the key for addressing these issues and improving the future well-being of the country.

Sameang Chea looks at mental health in Cambodia in a new article for Southeast Asia Globe. Combining scarcity of resources and funding for mental health services paired with widespread generational trauma, it is a pressing issue for Cambodia, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Considering the problem from economic, social, and religious angles, Chea argues that the longstanding role of Buddhism in Cambodian culture could be an opening for religious institutions and leaders to play a productive role in alleviating some of the current mental health pressures facing Cambodians today.