Urbanization and Emerging Mental Health Issues

Antonio Ventriglio*, Julio Torales, João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia, Domenico De Berardis, Dinesh Bhugra

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

125 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Rapid urbanization worldwide is associated to an increase of population in the urban settings and this is leading to new emerging mental health issues. This narrative mini-review is based on a literature search conducted through PubMed and EMBASE. articles published on the issue of urban mental health have been selected, cited, reviewed and summarized. There are emerging evidences about the association between urbanization and mental health issues. Urbanization affects mental health through social, economic and environmental factors. It has been shown that common mental syndromes report higher prevalence in the cities. Social disparities, social insecurity, pollution and the lack of contact with nature are some of recognized factors affecting urban mental health. Further reserach studies and specific guidelines should be encouraged to help policy makers and urban designers to improve mental health and mental health care facilities in the cities; additional strategies to prevent and reduce mental illness in the urban settings should be also adopted globally.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCNS SPECTRUMS
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 1 Jan 2020

Keywords

  • Globalization
  • Homelessness
  • Megacities
  • Mental Health
  • Urban Design
  • Urban Mental Health
  • Urbanization

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