The Hidden Crisis: Mental Health Care in Africa
When we talk about health in Africa, we often think about conditions like malaria, high blood pressure, or HIV. But there’s another big health problem that doesn’t get as much attention: mental health.
Lack of proper mental health care is a growing crisis that affects millions of people, especially women, across the continent. Read on to find out why it’s a growing, challenging issue.
The State of Mental Health in Africa
Africa is home to six of the top ten countries with the highest suicide rates in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In the African region alone, about 11 people out of every 100,000 die by suicide. These deaths are often tied to depression and anxiety, two key areas that require urgent mental health care.
Depression, the most common mental illness worldwide, affects about 100 million people in Africa. Of these, 66 million are women. Without adequate mental health care, millions are left to suffer in silence.
There’s Not Enough Help to Go Around
One of the main reasons depression and suicide are so prevalent is the shortage of mental health professionals in Africa. For every 500,000 people, there is only one psychiatrist—100 times less than the WHO’s recommendation.
The situation is further compounded by governments’ low spending on mental health care. Most African countries allocate less than 1% of their health budgets to mental health services. For instance, in 2020, Africa spent less than $1 per person on mental health care, compared to Europe, which spent about $46 per person.
Organizations Making a Difference
Even though it’s a gloomy reality, there are several organizations working hard to fill the gaps and provide mental health support to people in Africa. Let’s look at how they are standing in the gap:
1. Befrienders Kenya: This group offers free help to people who are thinking about suicide. They’re based in Nairobi but serve all of Kenya.
Contact: +254 722 178 177
Address: La Colline Gardens, Masaba Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi, P.O. Box 8660 – 00100, Kenya
Email: info@befrienderskenya.org
2. Girls for Girls (G4G): This organization focuses on helping women and girls who have faced violence in Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale counties in Kenya.
Contact: 0800724420
Twitter: @GirlsForGirlsKE
3. StrongMinds: This organization provides free group therapy to women and teens in Uganda, Zambia, and Kenya. They plan to expand to other African countries in the next ten years.
Email: info@strongminds.org
4. Shamiri Institute: This institute trains young people to provide mental health support in high schools across Kenya and Ethiopia.
Contact: +254 (0)11 254 07 60
Address: 13th Floor, CMS Africa, Chania Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya
Email: team@shamiri.institute
These organizations are doing fantastic work but can’t solve everything alone. We need more support from governments and communities to really make a difference.
What Can We Do to Improve Mental Health Care?
Of course, to change the prevalence of depression and suicide and depression in Africa, the government will need to up its spending and invest more in mental health treatment. That said, there are a few things each and every one of us can do to help.
- Talk about mental health: The more we discuss it openly, the less stigma there will be. You can start in your friend or family group by sharing your struggles and standing by the people going through tough times.
- Learn the signs: Knowing when someone might need help is the first step to getting them support and, ultimately, reducing the devastating effects of untreated mental health issues.
- Reach out: If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to contact one of the organizations we mentioned. If you’re in Kenya and feeling distressed, call the suicide prevention hotline at 0800 723 253. If you’re in another country, you can find your country-specific hotline here: https://findahelpline.com/
- Spread the word: Let your family and friends know that there are available mental health care resources that can help them manage conditions like depression and anxiety.
Taking care of your mental health is as important as taking care of your physical health. With collective effort, we can improve mental health care across Africa and make a difference in the lives of millions.
Your mental health matters, and there are people ready to support you. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it.
