There is extremely limited literature on both the counselling profession as well as the availability of such practices in Mongolia. The few studies that are available, however, paint a rather unique picture of the mental health practices in the country. Professional counselling, in Mongolia, seems to be underdeveloped, with “The per capita government expenditure on mental health being 2%” (World Health Organization, 2006, p. 7) of the total health expenditures.
Back in 2002, a National Mental Health Program (NMHP) was enacted by the Mongolian Government. In the World Health Organization (2006) article, it is explained that the timeframe for the implementation of NHMP was from 2002 to 2007 and comprised the development of mental health services, mental health components in primary health care, human resources, etc.. The World Health Organization (2006) further explains that two years before these implementations, a mental health law was ratified by the Parliament of Mongolia which included a list of components such as a right and access to mental health services and “mechanisms to oversee involuntary admission and treatment practices” (World Health Organization, 2006, p. 8).
Despite these efforts carried out by the local government, there seems to be no further up-to-date reports on the efficiency and success rate of these implementations. In a 2006, Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (AIMS) report by WHO (World Health Organization, 2006), it was made clear that there is a list of essential medicine present in the country (including antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, etc.). One can only hope that this list and psychotherapy remain as a necessity in Mongolia to this current date.
When it comes to community counselling practices in Mongolia, there seems to be a highly effective method/project called the “Gers” Project. Gers are a round, portable, windowless single room tent with a south facing door (WHO, 2006). These tents serve as community-based centers that were established back in 2000 and are funded by WHO and Open Society Foundations (OSF). Staffed by general health care practitioners and aimed at psychosocial rehabilitation, the success rate (measured by reduction of relapse among patients) of this project over a 6-year period (2002-2007) was 95% (WHO, 2006).
The bulk of the mental health system in Mongolia is still hospital based and relies on centers like the SOS Medica Mongolia, which is a 24/7 all-in-one clinic that provides services such as pediatric services, emergency and medical evacuation, physiotherapy, and mental health services.