Tajikistan Scores Low on Global Mental Health Quality Index, Ranking 80th

Tajikistan ranks 80th out of 83 countries in mental health quality, with a score of 51.2 on the Mental Health Quality (MHQ) index in the Mental State of the World 2024 report.

This places Tajikistan alongside Kyrgyzstan in one of the lowest positions globally, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

Neighboring Central Asian countries also show concerning results: Uzbekistan ranks 74th with 54.5 points, and Kazakhstan stands at 76th with 52.3 points. The low scores reflect widespread stress, anxiety, and limited access to psychotherapeutic care across the region.

The report highlights that Central Asia faces some of the world’s lowest mental health scores, driven by economic inequality, healthcare access issues, and other stress factors. In contrast, other post-Soviet states like Russia, Belarus, and Moldova report much higher MHQ scores, indicating better mental health infrastructure.

Globally, the average MHQ score is 63, meaning most people feel mentally stable and active about 21 days a month-significantly higher than Central Asian averages. This disparity underlines the urgent need for enhanced mental health services and socio-emotional support in the region.

Among older adults (55+), Tajikistan and several former Soviet countries scored below 90 on the MHQ index, reflecting poor mental health and gaps in elderly care. Countries like Uzbekistan, Belarus, Armenia, and Georgia scored higher, suggesting stronger support systems for seniors.

The report also reveals critical mental health challenges among youth under 35 in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, where the average MHQ score is just 38-much lower than the 60-65 average among older generations. Nearly 41 per cent of young people in these countries experience high stress, indicating significant psychological strain.

Only 15 of 79 countries surveyed have youth MHQ scores above 50, underscoring the urgent need to create support structures that help young people build emotional resilience and cope effectively with life’s pressures.