The programme shaping the future of mental health policy in Africa

Global political support for mental health has grown over the past decade. Mental health is now part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and all 194 World Health Organization Member States have signed the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030. 

Covid-19 also raised global awareness of mental health and the need for more accessible, effective solutions.   

Yet, progress remains slow, and more action is needed to create meaningful change. 

There must be stronger coordination and commitment to adopt and expand new and better interventions driven by local priorities, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the need is greatest.  

This is particularly urgent in Africa. Over 116 million people in Africa were estimated to be living with a mental health condition before the Covid-19 pandemic – a number likely higher now. 

Yet, only about 0.4 percent to 5 percent of public money is spent on mental health in Africa. This makes it difficult to expand the mental health workforce and improve services. 

Finding better solutions requires greater political support and strategies tailored to local needs. 

That's why a new mental health leadership programme for policymakers, led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, could be transformative. 

It aims to train policymakers to advocate for mental health across the continent and develop better policies – creating the next generation of mental health leaders.   

Breakthroughs in mental health have led to innovative new treatments and interventions. But they have their challenges, and cost-effective options for low- and middle-income countries are limited. 

One of the biggest challenges is that many mental health interventions aren’t scalable globally. They require expensive infrastructure, specialised training and ongoing support that many countries, including those in Africa, can’t provide. 

Moreover, many interventions lack input from people with lived experience of mental health challenges. As a result, they might not always help those they are intended for.  

For example, in some African communities, traditional or alternative mental health treatments are often preferred, or people avoid treatment due to stigma and a lack of awareness about mental health. Understanding this context is the key to providing effective interventions. 

Therefore, the focus must be on developing affordable, adaptable solutions tailored to the unique challenges of different communities and countries across Africa. 

“The Africa Field Epidemiology Network equips leaders to embed mental health in the technical aspects of public health, like outbreak response and surveillance.” 

And the short courses and capacity building, he explains, will train a diverse group of public health professionals and allies – from journalists to activists – and create a network of like-minded people to champion mental health in their countries.  

In some African countries, up to 90% of people with mental health problems don't receive treatment. This means we are still far from achieving the global goal of achieving universal health coverage and health equity by 2030.  

For Dr Mohammed, the most exciting aspect of the leadership program is its potential to establish health equity in Africa. 

“We are trying to change a health system so that, for example, a woman in any village in Africa who has depression can access quality care and treatments and live well.”  

Lived experience is embedded throughout the leadership programme.  

Experts with lived experience helped design the curriculum and are involved at every level of governance. They deliver modules, attend courses and advise on reasonable adjustments for people with mental health challenges for equitable participation.  

This ensures the programme addresses the real needs and challenges of those affected by mental health issues in Africa, ultimately leading to more effective solutions.  

It also helps future mental health leaders understand the importance of involving people with lived experience in developing mental health policies. 

According to Michael Njenga, CBM Global Africa Regional Mental Health Advisor, this will help shift the balance of power in mental health policy.  

“It will help restore voice, power and choice to people with lived experience through meaningful participation and inclusion,” Michael says. “It’s about giving people agency and autonomy and enabling them to contribute to decision-making and develop solutions to the issues most pertinent to them.” 

The leadership programme, and its inclusion of people with lived experience, is guided by international human rights law and policies, ensuring future policies are based on best practices. 

“Mental health is not a stand-alone issue,” Michael explains. “If someone is not experiencing good mental health and wellbeing, it can impact their education, employment and their ability to enjoy an adequate standard of living. This programme provides an opportunity to train leaders to develop policies that respond to these issues in Africa and deliver services firmly grounded in human rights.” 

As someone with lived experience of mental health challenges who grew up in rural Kenya, Michael understands the difficulties in accessing appropriate support and care. He hopes the leadership programme will help change that.  

“The programme will restore dignity and autonomy for people with mental health challenges and help transform mental health services across Africa,” says Michael. 

The programme will run from June 2024 to 2027 initially, with evaluations to measure its impact throughout.  

It aims to build a strong foundation and establish a lasting framework for mental health leadership and policy across the continent.  

If successful, the programme will serve as a sustainable and adaptable model for supporting future mental health leaders in Africa. It will create a network of decision-makers who can drive progress based on local priorities, with the potential to transform outcomes across generations.