Revolutionising mental health in Africa: bridging gaps and breaking down barriers

Africa’s mental health burden is rising owing to population growth, ageing and a severe shortage of professionals – just 1.4 per 100 000 population versus the global average of 9 per 100 000. This article outlines insights from the first African School of Psychiatry (held in Agadir, 2024), highlighting key challenges and solutions. Culturally sensitive care, integrating traditional practices and religious beliefs, is essential. Strategies include telepsychiatry, primary care integration, mental health literacy (especially for youth), caregiver training, and research into epidemiology and genetics to address Africa’s unique psychiatric profiles. The article calls for innovative, localised approaches, increased funding and global collaboration to move beyond Western models. Policymakers and professionals must act to transform mental healthcare for Africa’s specific needs.

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Publication Details

Journal
BJPsych International
Published
2025-10-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1192/bji.2025.10067
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Mental Health Treatment and Access
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.44
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Revolutionising mental health in Africa: bridging gaps and breaking down barriers

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Mental Health Treatment and Access
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Revolutionising mental health in Africa: bridging gaps and breaking down barriers

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article en
1 citations

Abstract

Africa’s mental health burden is rising owing to population growth, ageing and a severe shortage of professionals – just 1.4 per 100 000 population versus the global average of 9 per 100 000. This article outlines insights from the first African School of Psychiatry (held in Agadir, 2024), highlighting key challenges and solutions. Culturally sensitive care, integrating traditional practices and religious beliefs, is essential. Strategies include telepsychiatry, primary care integration, mental health literacy (especially for youth), caregiver training, and research into epidemiology and genetics to address Africa’s unique psychiatric profiles. The article calls for innovative, localised approaches, increased funding and global collaboration to move beyond Western models. Policymakers and professionals must act to transform mental healthcare for Africa’s specific needs.

BJPsych International
Université Sainte-Anne (CA), Université Ibn Zohr (MA), National Council for Scientific Research (LB), Université Sultan Moulay Slimane (MA), Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne (FR), Institut Universitaire de Recherche Clinique (FR), National Hospital Niamey (NE), Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (MA), Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (US), UCLouvain (BE), Cheikh Anta Diop University (SN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Mental Health Treatment and Access
2.44
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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