Jordan case study

Jordan is a politically stable country in the Middle East that hosts one of the world’s largest refugee populations. As of 2024, Jordan shelters over 2 million Palestine refugees, more than 1.3 million Syrians, and tens of thousands of Iraqis1. While Jordan's stability has facilitated the development of a sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, including leadership in medical tourism and maternal and child health indicators, the system remains under strain due to population growth, epidemiological transitions, and regional crises.

Mental health services in Jordan have historically focused on tertiary care and psychiatric institutions, with limited community-based interventions and preventive services. Budget allocation for mental health was fragmented, and primary health care settings were underutilised for mental health promotion. Public stigma, a lack of mental health literacy, and minimal integration into schools and communities further constrained early intervention efforts2.