The neuroimaging correlates of depression established across six large-scale population datasets.

Children and adolescents exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including physical, sexual, and emotional violence, neglect, poverty, parental mental illness, and parental loss, are at increased risk of developing mental disorders (MD) and psychosocial difficulties (). Global statistics show that 50% of MDs begin by age 14 with one in seven (14%) of 10-19-year-olds developing a mental disorder, which accounts for 13% Global Burden of Disease (GBD) in this age group (). Common mental health consequences associated with exposure to ACEs include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, suicidality, substance use, and behavioral problems, which can negatively affect educational attainment, social functioning, and long-term wellbeing (). Experiences such as trauma, abuse, neglect, chronic stress, and other adverse childhood experiences can substantially increase vulnerability to mental health problems during childhood and adolescence (–). The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened the mental health burden among children and adolescents through social isolation, school disruptions, economic hardship, and reduced access to support systems, contributing to increased prevalence of mental disorders globally (, ). Despite the growing burden of child and adolescent mental disorders, access to appropriate mental healthcare remains extremely limited, particularly in low- and middle income countries (LMICs) (). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank estimate that at least half of the world’s population lacks access to essential health services (). As a result, a substantial treatment gap exists, with many children and adolescents receiving either no mental healthcare or they receive healthcare that is inadequate to meet their mental health needs (, ). A major contributor to this treatment gap is the global shortage of trained mental health professionals (, ). However, despite the existing need and treatment gap, only a ssmall proportion of the healthcare workforce is specialized in mental healthcare, with only 1% of the healthcare workforce globally provides mental healthcare (). Kenya faces a critical shortage of skilled mental health professionals, with an estimated ratio of approximately one psychiatrist per one million people. This shortage is particularly pronounced in child and adolescent mental health (). Fortunately, evidence-based and effective psychosocial interventions are available that can help treat and prevent many mental health conditions. In response to the existing unmet need, Kenya has begun adopting task-sharing approaches to expand access to mental health services through low-intensity psychosocial interventions delivered by non-specialist providers (–). Social workers have increasingly been trained to provide psychosocial care and support to children and families within communities, healthcare facilities, and rehabilitation centers. This emerging model offers a practical strategy for addressing the shortage of mental health specialists and narrowing the treatment gap among vulnerable children and adolescents ().