NAIROBI, July 24 (IPS) – Before the COVID-19 pandemic, About 116 million People in Africa are suffering from mental health problems. A significant portion of mental illness is caused by depression and anxiety, and these problems have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people aged 15-59, who are most affected.
In West and Central Africa (WCA), the prevalence of mental health disorders reported in a book review is: Zuma etc. The leading causes of mental health disorders are anxiety disorders and depressive disorders, accounting for 2-39%.
In West Africa, data on the prevalence and burden of mental health disorders are limited, reflecting a lack of attention to mental health issues.
For example, Nigeria, one of the few countries where surveys were conducted, is estimated to be the most populous country in Africa. 12 month prevalence rate Anxiety was reported at 4% in the Nigeria Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey, the first large-scale mental health survey conducted by SSA in 2001-2003.
Moreover, prevalence data for children and adolescents are available in SSA for only 2% of the target population, represented by available data on mental health disorders.
Treatment gap, i.e. the proportion of people who do not receive treatment due to a formal mental health disorder Sierra Leone It was estimated at 98.8%. In particular, WA’s young population is expected to double over the next 10 years. With the current competitive labour market and the increased pressures of the pandemic, many individuals may be experiencing mental health issues.
Mental health is not just a problem in Sierra Leone, Nigeria or West Africa, it is a global problem, with one in eight people (908 million) worldwide experiencing a mental health disorder. Addressing this problem requires targeted interventions and support systems that ensure vulnerable age groups have access to the treatment and resources they need.
In West Africa, mental health systems face significant constraints, partly due to: regional belief systems Mental health problems are often interpreted as spiritual rather than psychological or medical in nature. In West Africa, mental health problems are often seen as spiritual or cultural illnesses rather than physical illnesses.
Mental health is a legendary story in many African regions. Despite negative media attention about the harsh practices used by traditional healers, they provide low-cost services to individuals with mental illness, including serious illnesses, in spiritual centers or rural facilities. These paraprofessionals are far more numerous than medical professionals and have social capital in their communities because they meet social needs.
Mental health is influenced by cultural beliefs, stigma, and barriers to accessing health services. It affects more women globally, and has recently World Health Organization Studies show that about 3.8% of the world’s population suffers from depression, or about 5% of adults, 4% of men and 6% of women.
In the WHO ATLAS Report 2021, the availability and reporting of disaggregated mental health data by sex and age was 43% and 54% in the WHO AFRO region, respectively, and 78% and 82% in high-income countries, respectively. The availability of mental health data varies across regions, and the lower burden of disease may be due to a lack of data in some regions. Regional trends are difficult to assess, as some regions have only a few data points available.
that much serious shortage The lack of qualified mental health professionals in West Africa is a major obstacle to addressing mental health issues in the region. Psychiatric services are hard to come by, especially in primary health care settings when patients need them most. In 2017, 24% of African countries did not have a standalone mental health policy, and the mental health worker ratio was 9.0 per 100,000 people. WHO Housing finance survey.
In West Africa, policymakers have struggled with how to ensure that health systems can provide better health services given limited resources, infrastructure, and access to trained mental health professionals. One strategy to fill this gap has been task shifting, where non-specialist health professionals are trained to provide basic mental health services. Nevertheless, the overall lack of health resources and the requirement for extensive training programs limit the effectiveness of this approach.
It’s been over 20 years since 2001. WHO and AU As another way to provide affordable and accessible health services to Africa’s growing population, we have introduced a comprehensive program to promote, develop and integrate traditional and mainstream medicine.
The reality is that political will is one of the obstacles that is emphasized, cooperation, lack of policy or implementation, lack of common treatment pathways. Many traditional medicine practitioners lack the education and training that would enable integration. This is because there is a lack of policy input that supports integration activities.
Mental health exists on a complex continuum that has significant implications for well-being, economic and social impacts. The interplay of individual, family, community and structural factors influences unique dynamics that can intersect and protect or undermine the mental health continuum at any time. Governments must increase their focus on mental health, including commitments to improving mental health disorders, to achieve the commitment of SDG Target 3.4, which calls for improved mental health and well-being.
Advocacy and education initiatives play a vital role in improving mental health outcomes in West Africa. Community-based initiatives involving people with personal experience of mental health problems can be very successful in influencing attitudes and motivating others to seek treatment. Local mental health champions who can provide peer support and serve as trusted sources of information in the community can also be identified and trained through these programs.
I believe that many mHealth and eHealth technologies are feasible, acceptable, and will improve accessibility and health outcomes for people with mental health disorders.
Preliminary evidence suggests a combination of: Accessible technology and trained individuals Providing interventions in the field can help transform the role of prayer camps or traditional healers serving people with mental illness, but further research is needed to understand how to draw and scale conclusions about effectiveness and cost-benefit in this population.
Most projects are barely evaluated, and only a few target marginalized areas or populations and contribute to improved mental health treatment. Investment in these technologies has increased, but poor infrastructure and power, inadequate skills and policies, and lack of government ownership have resulted in projects that are not scalable.
Because the determinants of mental health are multi-sectoral, a multi-sectoral approach must be considered. Another approach is to extend services beyond clinics and make mental health a public health priority in West Africa. Significant impacts can be achieved by expanding the pool of qualified mental health workers through professional training initiatives, improving health systems, and integrating mental health services into primary care.
Policies that raise awareness of mental health issues, reduce stigma, and ensure equitable access to treatment for all people, regardless of gender, socioeconomic background, or place of residence, are also essential.
Initiatives like the Mental Health Data Prize in Africa aim to leverage existing data to address mental health issues across Africa and contribute to creating a more resilient future for all.
that much Award from the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) aims to work with Wellcome to fill data gaps and increase understanding of how to address anxiety, depression and psychosis, while strengthening evidence-based decision-making in Africa.
Since January 2024, APHRC has been running an open capacity building program that includes sessions on mental health research, data science and machine learning, practical experience, and evidence-based policy decision making. The five-month capacity building initiative aims to bring together researchers, data scientists, policymakers, and people with practical experience to bridge research leadership, policy, and management gaps, and foster future sustainability and innovation.
In conclusion, mental health solutions in West Africa require concrete plans that take into account technological advancements and data insights, expand access to treatment and education, and are multi-faceted efforts involving governments, health care providers, and communities to make significant progress in improving mental health outcomes in the region.
Dr. Sylvia Muingo I am a research scientist at the African Population and Health Research Centre.
© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal Source: Inter Press Service
