November 2016 - As part of its  priority areas to scale up the country’s mental health and psychosocial care as well as coordinate existing efforts for better mental healthcare and psychosocial support   for South Sudanese, WHO engaged in an extensive consultation with national and international partners to identify needs and priorities to protect and improve people's mental health and psychosocial well-being.

Attending to mental health needs in Africa, particularly in South Sudan is often neglected and below standard at the best of times, let alone at a time of an immense crisis like this, says Dr Abdulmumini Usman, the World Health Organization Representative to South Sudan. “Screening for problems in this geographically scattered population requires resources, local knowledge, availability of personnel and, most importantly, the affected people being willing to talk about their mental health needs” he added. 

Currently, less than 1% of people with common and severe mental disorders are receiving the services they need. Besides, the country faces critical shortages in its mental health workforce and has been unable to adequately meet the needs. At present, there are only two psychiatrists, 20 community workers, one psychiatric nurse and 30 psychologists. This indicates that, the country has only 1 mental health professional for every 220 000 persons, which is far below the global indicator (1 per 100 000 people).  

To establish coordination of intersectoral mental health and psychosocial support, WHO developed multi-sectoral, mental health and psychosocial support response plan to strengthen health facilities to promote awareness of mental health issues in the community and ensure proper care to those who need them most through establishment of mental health services at primary health care level.

To minimize the gap between the increased demand and the provision of mental health and psychosocial support services, “WHO is committed to support the Ministry of Health to improve the delivery of mental health services”, says Dr Abdulmumini. “The task is huge and requires continuing coordination and support of donors and partners, without urgent funding, we cannot implement most of the planned interventions”.

The ongoing hardships and violence associated with the conflict in South Sudan have had pervasive effects on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of the affected population. A wide range of mental health problems exist, including problems caused by conflict-related violence, displacement and multiple losses. Besides, the current provision of health care services to promote and protect psychosocial wellbeing and prevent and treat mental disorders is below standard.

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For more information please contact: 
Dr Joseph Lou Kenyi Mogga, +211 955 499 750, moggaj [at] who.inttarget="_blank" 
Ms Jemila M. Ebrahim, +211 950 450 007, ebrahimj [at] who.int