Mental health in Africa requires significant attention. An integral aspect of a person’s health, mental health encompasses one’s cognitive, behavioral and emotional well-being. Mental health influences how people are able to interact with others, handle stress and make healthy decisions that will benefit them in life. Unsurprisingly, taking care of one’s mental health is incredibly valuable and important when working towards optimal physical health and healthy relationships with others, both of which can contribute to preserving a person’s ability to enjoy life. 

Unfortunately, mental health is a serious issue: 970 million people across the globe experience struggles with some form of mental illness or drug abuse, and approximately 8 million deaths worldwide can be attributed to mental disorders. With mental illness afflicting one in four people across the world at some point in their lives, mental health is a global health issue that is particularly challenging in low- and middle-income countries, with 76% to 85% of the population struggling with receiving proper care or treatment for their mental illnesses. Here is some information about mental health in Africa. 

Mental Health in Africa

Many African countries experience difficulty regarding accessibility to proper mental health care, with fewer than two mental health workers for every 100,00 people and severely inadequate funding for mental health care. The average African government dedicates less than 50 cents per capita to mental health, which is drastically lower than the recommended allocation of $2 per capita for low-income countries. In addition to overall inefficient and inadequate mental health care, high treatment costs can also deter many in Africa from seeking treatment for mental disorders.  

Other prevalent barriers to mental health care include limited education and awareness in addition to the shame and stigma associated with mental illnesses. Some may feel hesitant to acknowledge their own condition, especially when surrounded by the stigma that portrays those living with mental conditions as unfavorable. 

StrongMinds Targeting Depression in Africa

Founded in 2013, StrongMinds is a nonprofit organization concentrated in Uganda that treats African women living with depression through free group talk therapy. Since its founding, StrongMinds has helped approximately 230,000 women with depression in Uganda and Zambia. StrongMinds also supports adolescents through peer-to-peer therapy. 

To treat depression, StrongMinds utilizes group interpersonal psychotherapy, which has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the preferred method when intervening with depression in resource-poor areas. This treatment model employed by StrongMinds highlights the importance of relationships with others as the basis of recovery from depression. Counselors help members over six to 10 sessions through structured discussions, teach them coping mechanisms, and share support structures that the members can utilize even after therapy at StrongMinds. The members are able to practice interpersonal skills and reflect on underlying triggers for their depression while working with each other to form meaningful social bonds in the process. 

Following therapy at StrongMinds, beneficiaries have reported that on average, 80% of the women treated remain depression-free for six months. The results are remarkable, as these women achieve clinically significant reductions in symptoms of depression and report feeling more connected with their surrounding community. According to StrongMinds, 16% of women report an increase in work attendance, 13% report being able to feed their children more regularly and 30% of women say that their children attend school more often. 

StrongMinds is also actively working with advocacy initiatives with the Ministry of Health to improve the Health Management System to ensure that the number of people who receive treatment for mental illnesses is properly recorded, and the organization also conducts research to advance knowledge on mental health. 

Looking Forward

StrongMinds is just one of several leading organizations spearheading the efforts to improve the state of mental health in many African countries. By supporting those who are struggling with finding access to therapy or treatment, organizations like StrongMinds can ensure individuals experiencing mental illness across Africa receive the proper high-quality care they deserve. By empowering women in Africa through investments in mental health services, StrongMinds shows how a society of mentally healthy individuals can reduce poverty, encourage financial independence, and foster positive, social changes. 

– Annie Song
Photo: Flickr