Mental Health in Jordan: Research Gaps, Systemic Challenges, and Policy Imperatives

Mental health in Jordan is a critical concern, characterised by significant challenges and opportunities for intervention. According to reports from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the economic burden of mental health conditions in Jordan exceeds 250 million Jordanian Dinars (JOD) annually. It is estimated that more than 20% of the Jordanian population experiences unresolved mental health issues, with over 2,500 deaths attributed to untreated mental health conditions (World Health Organisation, 2020).

The primary predictors of mental health problems in Jordanian society, particularly among females, include socioeconomic factors such as income, experiences of spousal violence, and general health status. Mental health research in the country reveals several key challenges, including the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health, the limited availability of mental health services, and ethical and methodological barriers that hinder the advancement of research in this field. AlQerem et al. (2024) examined mental health literacy in Jordan. They identified the influence of education, income, and marital status on public knowledge of mental health, stressing the need for targeted educational initiatives and policy reforms.

Work-related stress among mental health professionals, largely stemming from inadequate organisational support, constitutes a significant concern within the healthcare system. Hamdan-Mansour et al. (2011) found that mental health nurses in Jordan experience high levels of work stress, largely due to a lack of organisational support. These findings indicate the importance of addressing the work environment of mental health professionals to enhance both their well-being and the quality of care they provide.

Mental health literacy (MHL) levels in Jordan remain average, but stigma and the limited availability of mental health services serve as substantial barriers to accessing care, complicating efforts to improve MHL. Al-Qerem et al. (2024) suggest that enhancing MHL through educational reforms and greater availability of mental health resources is essential for improving mental health outcomes in Jordan.

A rising incidence of psychiatric disorders marks the mental health landscape for children and adolescents. A scoping review conducted by Al-Hamawi et al. (2023) highlighted alarming rates of mental health issues among this population in Jordan, with prevalence rates for depression ranging from 7.1% to 73.8%, anxiety from 16.3% to 46.8%, ADHD from 13.0% to 40.6%, emotional and behavioral challenges from 11.7% to 55.2%, PTSD from 16.2% to 65.1%, and eating disorders from 12% to 40.4%.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened mental health issues, especially among healthcare workers, who have reported higher levels of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and stress (World Health Organisation, 2020; Salameh, Marais, & Khoury, 2023). These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive mental health interventions and policy reforms to tackle the increasing mental health burden in Jordan.

References

• World Health Organization (2020) Mental health and psychosocial support for health workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan. World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Available at:
  https://applications.emro.who.int/docs/9789290226949-eng.pdf?ua=1
  (Accessed: 5 January 2025).
• World Health Organization (n.d.) Mental health in Jordan. World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Available at:
  https://www.emro.who.int/jor/jordan-news/mental-health-in-jordan.html
  (Accessed: 5 January 2025).
• Al-Qerem, W., Jarab, A., Khdour, M., Eberhardt, J., Alasmari, F., Hammad, A., Zumot, R., & Khalil, S. (2024). Assessing mental health literacy in Jordan: A factor analysis and Rasch analysis study. Frontiers in Public Health,12.
• Hamdan-Mansour, A.M., Al-Gamal, E., Puskar, K., Yacoub, M., & Marini, A. (2011). Mental health nursing in Jordan: An investigation into experience, work stress and organizational support. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 20(2), 86-94.
• AlHamawi R, Khader Y, Abu Khudair S, Tanaka E, Al Nsour M. Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems among Children and Adolescents in Jordan: A Scoping Review. Children (Basel). 2023 Jul 4;10(7):1165. doi:10.3390/children10071165. PMID: 37508662; PMCID: PMC10377849.
• Salameh, G., Marais, D., & Khoury, R. (2023). Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health among the Population in Jordan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(14), 6382.
  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146382