Mental illness of the Yemen's population is one of the destructive effects of years of crisis in Yemen. The mental wellbeing of Yemenis has been severely eroded by years of war and poverty. The impact of COVID and global economic challenges has only worsened the situation. According to WHO 19.5% of the population suffer from mental health with young people and children in particular suffer from anxiety, depression, trauma, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A large majority of children display symptoms of PTSD 80% of the children are severely depressed, live in fear and abandon education.

Yet mental health care is scarce where there are only 40 psychiatrists for the whole population that's about one psychiatrist for 750,000 people. There is no indication that the situation will improve. Globally there is no initiative to help with the crisis and in Yemen there is no real official or standardised support for providing mental health diagnosis. The social stigma around mental illness which sees it as weakness or even a betrayal of religion keeps it in the shadows and people suffer alone or are locked away.

With help and support Yemenis will live in a vicious cycle of pain and suffering where worsening mental health erodes daily their ability to cope and survive. It has become Yemen an invisible disease of phenomenal proportions demoralising a nation and stealing all hope. The challenge is complex and so without a collective effort and innovative solutions it almost impossible to envisage a future where Yemenis can live in hope and dignity.