On March 28, 2025, Myanmar experienced its second-worst earthquake, which has exacerbated the country’s pre-existing vulnerability to natural disasters. The earthquake’s impact has been exacerbated by cultural, economic, and financial stressors, further straining Myanmar’s already fragile mental health services.
Struggles by the Numbers
- Since 2021, Myanmar has faced a worsening military takeover, civil unrest, armed conflict, mass internal displacement, and a COVID-19-induced recession.
- In 2023, poverty rates rose to 49.7% from 24.8% in 2017, with 24.4% living in extreme poverty.
- Women-headed households are 1.2 times more likely to live in poverty.
- Four of Myanmar’s seven states reported median household incomes dropping by nearly 50%.
These conditions have increased national instability and the need for relief in a country facing debilitating humanitarian, bureaucratic, financial, and geographical constrictions. The well-being of nearly 55 million people in Myanmar remains at risk, with one in three people continuing to suffer from mental health issues related to population shocks.
Rummaging Through Rubble
Earthquakes disproportionately affect developing countries, where poor infrastructure and a lack of resources often dictate the quality of preparedness and response to natural disasters. Decisions about reducing disaster vulnerability are often made collectively, rather than by individuals, which disadvantages the impoverished.
Consequently, such differential impact disadvantages the poor, who are frequently excluded from decision-making processes due to political marginalization, leading to their interests being overlooked in favor of those with power and influence.
The Relationship Between Psychological Distress and Exposure to Earthquakes
Researchers have highlighted a direct correlation between psychological distress and exposure to earthquakes. One study demonstrated how a 2006 earthquake increased anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders by 8.39%, 10.47%, and 7.37%, respectively.
Moreover, the earthquake increased loneliness by 10% and decreased motivation, nutritional habits, and employment by 10%, 12.37%, and 2.11%, respectively. Women, children, and the elderly are more likely to develop psychological distress than men.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programs provide targeted interventions for communities affected by crisis. In Nepal, MHPSS efforts following two major earthquakes in 2015 improved mental health outcomes in 54% of participants within six months.
Among those with severe impairments at the start of the program, 89% reported improvements. MHPSS can indirectly contribute to poverty reduction by improving mental health and social integration, which helps increase productivity and reduce healthcare costs.
Initiatives in Myanmar
| Initiative | Goal |
|---|---|
| National Emergency Health Care Plan for Disasters | To lower financial barriers to care and establish a strong mental health infrastructure before, during, and after natural disasters. |
| The Psychological Support Program (PSS) | To provide counseling and group support, focusing on trauma recovery and emotional stabilization after crises. |
| Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) | To train local health workers, distribute mental health resources, and offer basic mental health services to underserved communities. |
Moving Forward
Natural disasters have claimed more than 1.23 million lives globally in the past two decades. Myanmar’s March earthquake adds to this toll and the estimated $2.97 trillion global disaster cost. It highlights the urgent need to address mental health in poverty reduction strategies.
Incorporating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) into emergency response may help Myanmar’s most vulnerable populations recover and thrive.
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