Mental Health Issues and Policy in Sub Saharan Africa: A view from Cape Town to Cairo

A. Sathiya Susuman
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A. Sathiya Susuman: University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa

International Journal of Health and Medical Sciences, 2017, vol. 3, issue 3, 59-66

Abstract: Although, millions of people in Africa have suffered various forms of mental health, such as depression, alcohol use, stress, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease, there is little attention given towards mental health issues in the region. This study explore any substantial information regarding mental health issues, mental health policies and their legislations in the study area covered from Cape Town to Cairo. Secondary information based on different literature review was adopted using available secondary data from some African countries. The data source specifically the World Health Organization and Mental Health Atlas [1]. A qualitative based analysis has been performed. Only 22 out of 53 countries within the African region do have some form of a mental health policy, meanwhile about 41% do not have a mental health policy or plan. From a global perspective, mental health issues are critical, particularly in the African region. Therefore, concern Governments, Non-governmental organizations, health institutions and relevant health care service professionals needs to work together. Moreover, countries with already adopted mental health policy should give more attention for monitoring and evaluation.

Keywords: Depression; Stress; Mental Disorders; Risk Factors; Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:apa:ijhmss:2017:p:59-66

DOI: 10.20469/ijhms.3.30001-3

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