Zishuo Wu, MsGH ’26
Faculty Mentor: Truls Ostbye
This project represents one of the first efforts to systematically document mental health issues within prison settings in Sri Lanka. The research team, consisting of members from Duke University and University of Ruhuna, conducted a survey of 325 prisoners from a national-level remand prison in Galle. The study assessed the severity of mental health conditions in this population and examined associated risk factors, including overcrowding and poor sanitation.
The findings revealed a substantial burden of depression, psychological distress, and substance abuse, alongside evidence of severe overcrowding within the facility. These results help address a critical gap in the literature regarding under-recognized mental health needs in incarcerated populations in Sri Lanka and provide evidence to inform policy interventions aimed at alleviating this burden.
