The Revival of Psychiatry in Cambodia

Following the near-total destruction of mental health services during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979), psychiatry in Cambodia underwent a gradual and resource-constrained revival from the early 1990s onward. This article traces the history of psychiatry in Cambodia from its early institutional foundations in the colonial period, through its collapse during the Khmer Rouge genocide, to its re-establishment and progressive institutionalization in the post-conflict era. Drawing on historical archives, policy documents, and published literature, the paper describes three main phases of development: initial reconstruction and training (1992–2000), expansion of services and education (2001–2015), and recent efforts toward institutionalization and specialization (2015–present). Particular attention is given to the interaction between western psychiatric models and Cambodian cultural frameworks of distress rooted in Buddhism, animism, and community-based healing practices. The article highlights the central role of international collaboration, nongovernmental organizations, and emerging local leadership in shaping psychiatric services, while also documenting persistent challenges including workforce shortages, uneven geographic distribution of care, limited inpatient capacity, and enduring stigma. By situating psychiatry within Cambodia's broader sociocultural and historical context, this review contributes to a transcultural understanding of mental health system reconstruction in post-conflict settings. It also underscores the importance of culturally responsive, community-oriented approaches for sustainable development.