The inclusion of mental health in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demonstrates recognition of this important global issue. Within Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), poor mental health is increasingly recognised as a pressing challenge to individuals, families and communities, as well as a growing and significant economic burden at the national level. Although biological factors may be important, social determinants have also been established as key factors in people’s mental health.Identifying these determinants can help vulnerable groups and are crucial in developing effective interventions.
Many social determinants have an impact upon mental health in culturally and context-specific ways. Our understanding of the intersections of multiple social determinants is growing but further research is required.This workshop aimed to develop an overview of current knowledge about social determinants of mental health, and to identify barriers and opportunities for tackling mental health problems. Participants discussed research gaps, opportunities for collaboration, potential points for intervention, and relevant determinants for five domains aligned with the SDGs: economic, demographic, neighbourhood, environmental events, and social and cultural domains.
