TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan spends NT$18.7 (US$0.63) per person on mental health promotion and prevention, a figure well below international standards, the Taiwan Federation for Mental Health said Tuesday.
The federation highlighted urgent challenges facing Taiwan’s mental health system. It pointed to four major warning signs amid the country’s rapidly aging population and shrinking workforce, per CNA.
Suicide remains one of the top three causes of death among people aged 14 to 44. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s graying population is placing increasing strain on community-based care services.
By 2044, the proportion of residents aged 65 and older is expected to double to 33.64%, adding 3.5 million seniors. At the same time, the number of young workers is projected to decline by nearly 4.6 million.
Many townships and districts could see both population declines and staffing shortages at local health centers.
To address these demographic shifts, the federation urged the government to expand psychological health services at 368 local clinics and township centers. It proposed an integrated, individual- or household-centered care model, supported by stronger coordination of community resources.
The group also recommended developing community-centered health services by integrating local resources to establish mental health promotion and prevention mechanisms. These efforts should prioritize support for high-risk groups and caregivers, it said.
It recommended boosting the national mental health budget to align with guidelines from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which suggest allocating at least 10% of total healthcare spending on mental health. The group also advocated for legally mandated funding to ensure consistent, long-term support for preventive care and community-based networks.
The federation also highlighted the mental health struggles of vulnerable populations, including Indigenous peoples, individuals with disabilities, family caregivers, and women forced to leave work due to caregiving responsibilities. It warned that mental health resources in Taiwan are imbalanced, with disadvantaged groups becoming invisible victims.
To address this, the group called for equitable funding across rural and urban areas, as well as stronger efforts to reduce stigma and eliminate discrimination surrounding mental illness. The federation said mental health is a key component of public health and social stability and urged the government to respond to growing demographic and systemic challenges.
