A foundational evidence base for the region
As part of CAMHSAN's mission to advance child and adolescent mental health across the region, a regional mapping initiative was undertaken to generate a foundational evidence base that can guide policy reform, investment, and service strengthening across South Asia.
Conducted across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and using the UNICEF Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) Mapping Tool, the assessment draws on policy reviews, service data, and expert consultations to profile existing systems and identify priority gaps and opportunities for action.
A regional call for action
This landmark report underscores the urgent need to scale child and adolescent mental health responses in South Asia, where nearly 40% of the population is under 18. Findings reveal significant system challenges, including:
- Limited financing for mental health services
- A shortage of trained specialists
- Concentration of services in urban tertiary hospitals
- Minimal community- and school-based programming
Despite growing recognition of mental health needs, most countries lack dedicated policies, trained human resource, evidence-based mental health programmes and services, costed action plans, and integrated service pathways for early intervention and ongoing care.
Building stronger systems for every young person
Through this collaborative effort, CAMHSAN strengthens the regional agenda on child and adolescent mental health, supporting governments, partners, and practitioners to build equitable, community-anchored, and evidence-based mental health systems for every young person in South Asia.
Report details & institutional access
Format: Comprehensive Analysis (PDF) · UNICEF / CAMHSAN
Executive Summary & Geographic Scope
Profiles mental health system infrastructure across 8 nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Enquiry route: Contact GIHD Research Office
Institutional Copy & Policy Brief Access
Academic and institutional stakeholders can request the complete mapping toolkit and consultation data directly from the GIHD research office.
Report & consultation actions
Report authors
Commissioned by UNICEF, this landmark Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) Mapping Analysis was conducted across eight South Asian countries by Dr. Syed Usman Hamdani and Prof. Savita Malhotra, supported by in-country partners.
From the regional consultations
Multinational working group reviewing child and adolescent mental health system indicators 
Regional policy and clinical stakeholders discussing multi-country findings 
Expert consultation developing regional priority action frameworks across 8 South Asian nations
