Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in the COVID-19 Response in Africa: A Mixed-Methods Study

Alice Walker, Muhammad Abdullatif Alkasaby, Florence Baingana, William K. Bosu, Mohammed Abdulaziz, Rosie Westerveld, Adelard Kakunze, Rosemary Mwaisaka, Khalid Saeed, Namoudou Keita, Ian F. Walker and Julian Eaton
Additional contact information
Alice Walker: UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, UK Health Security Agency/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Muhammad Abdullatif Alkasaby: UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, UK Health Security Agency/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Florence Baingana: WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville P.O. Box 06, Democratic Republic of the Congo
William K. Bosu: West African Health Organisation, Bobo-Dioulasso 01 BP 153, Burkina Faso
Mohammed Abdulaziz: Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, African Union, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 3243, Ethiopia
Rosie Westerveld: Independent Researcher, 24620 Les Eyzies de Tayac, France
Adelard Kakunze: Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, African Union, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 3243, Ethiopia
Rosemary Mwaisaka: East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community, Arusha P.O Box 1009, Tanzania
Khalid Saeed: WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo 11371, Egypt
Namoudou Keita: West African Health Organisation, Bobo-Dioulasso 01 BP 153, Burkina Faso
Ian F. Walker: UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, UK Health Security Agency/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Julian Eaton: UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, UK Health Security Agency/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: This research aimed to (1) assess the extent to which mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) was included in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic in African countries, and (2) explore barriers and enablers to MHPSS integration into the COVID-19 response. A mixed-methods study, using an online survey and in-depth interviews, was conducted. Participants included Mental Health Focal Points at the Ministries of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) country and regional offices, and civil society representatives. Responses were received from 28 countries out of 55 contacted. The implementation level, based on standard guidelines, of MHPSS activities was below 50% in most countries. The most implemented MHPSS activities were establishing coordination groups (57%) and developing MHPSS strategy (45%), while the least implemented activities included implementing the developed MHPSS strategy (32%) and establishing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms (21%). Key factors that hindered implementing MHPSS activities included lack of political commitment and low prioritisation of mental health during emergencies, as it was seen as a “less important” issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, when more importance was given to infection prevention and control (IPC). However, there are signs of optimism, as mental health gained some attention during COVID-19. It is imperative to build on the attention gained by integrating MHPSS in emergency preparedness and response and strengthening mental health systems in the longer term.

Keywords: mental health and psychosocial support; emergency preparedness and response; COVID-19; infectious disease outbreaks; Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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