Quantifying Mental Health Disaster Risk in Namibia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Hazard, Exposure, Vulnerability, Treatment Coverage, and Coping Capacity Indicators

The following protocol highlights the need for a systematic review and meta-analysis designed to quantify the burden of Mental Health Disaster Risk (MHDR) in Namibia. The review will synthesize evidence addressing the prevalence of depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), substance use disorders (SUD), and suicide-related outcomes, and highlight indicators of exposure, vulnerability, treatment coverage, and mental health system capacity. Drawing upon disaster risk theory, the study proposes the Mental Health Disaster Risk (MHDR) Framework, which conceptualizes mental health conditions as hazards whose impacts are modified by exposure, vulnerability, and coping capacity. Results will play a role in developing evidence-based strategies for integrating mental health into disaster risk reduction and resilience planning for Namibia.