<![CDATA[This scoping review outlines the availability of mental health providers in low-middle income countries (LMICs), highlighting disparities in provider distribution, obstacles to care, and innovative strategies to fill gaps in mental health services. A systematic search across ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, and Scopus identified 3,213 articles using Boolean strings targeting mental health access, barriers, and LMICs. Six studies met the inclusion criteria (2020–2024, English, open-access) after screening via Rayyan software and PRISMA-Scr guidelines. Mental health provider density in LMICs remains critically low, ranging from 0.1 to 0.9 per 100,000 population across regions. Key findings include That Digital health integration has shown promise in India and Indonesia for managing schizophrenia and addressing pandemic-related burnout, but it has faced challenges such as limited internet access, low literacy, and device availability. School-based programs (e.g., Nepal’s HASHTAG initiative) demonstrated potential for adolescent mental health promotion through multicomponent, culturally adapted interventions. Rural engagement barriers in Mexico highlighted geographic isolation, poverty, and cultural stigma, with 82% of individuals lacking access to care despite need. Only 33.3% of Nigerian university students utilized mental health services due to cost concerns and confidentiality doubts. Addressing LMICs’ mental health crises requires context-specific strategies: scaling digital tools with offline capabilities, expanding school-based prevention programs, and improving rural service delivery through community-driven models. Policymakers must prioritize workforce training, infrastructure investment, and anti-stigma campaigns to bridge treatment gaps.]]>
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