Page 227 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

Impact of Urbanisation on Mental Disorders in SAARC
Countries

*
Chamath Edirisuriya , Mayangi Serasundera, Pramoth Darampriya, Malshani
Weerasooriya, Krishantha Wisenthige, Ruwan Jayathilaka, Udeshika
Pathirana
Business School, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology
*
bm20091866@my.sliit.lk

Abstract

Mental disorder can be a determinant factor of a society’s health as it affects the most vital
resource available within it, which is people who are a part of the workforce, form
relationships, and act in an operational capacity within industries. This study explores the
impact of urbanisation on the mental health situation in the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries. Quadratic polynomial regression was taken to
quantify the impact in 08 countries between 1990 to 2019. The findings revealed that Sri
Lanka shows a higher coefficient of 202.8%. It shows that when urbanisation increases by
1%, health expenditure is increased by 202.8%. The second largest coefficient is observed in
Maldives, which is 0.3%. The result of this study contributes to the current knowledge in this
area by assessing urbanisation’s impact on mental disorders in the SAARC countries.
Therefore, the findings of this study will be helpful for policymakers to create effective
policies and programmes that support mental health care in unprivileged urban areas and re-
consider their urban development policies to prevent the negative externalities of rapid
urbanisation by prioritizing adequate health services and easy access to mental health care
services.

Keywords: Mental Disorder, SAARC Countries, Urbanisation

1. Introduction and Research Problem

Urbanisation is a process of migration of individuals from rural environments

to more urban areas. The United Nations (2018), statistically demonstrated

that compared to 1950, urbanisation has increased from 30% to 55%, which
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