Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in the Covid-19 Response in Africa

A Mixed-Methods Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15498346
AuthorsAlice Walker (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Muhammad Alkasaby (0000-0001-9723-7706, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Florence Baingana (0000-0002-9996-3274, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa), William K Bosu (0000-0003-0094-9833, West African Health Organisation), Mohammed Abdulaziz (0000-0003-3809-6063, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), R Westerveld (0000-0002-6845-7854), Adelard Kakunze (0000-0001-5834-7857, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), Rosemary Mwaisaka (East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community), Khalid Saeed (0000-0002-2825-098X, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean), Namoudou Kéita (West African Health Organisation), Ian Walker (0000-0002-0079-3149, Department of Health and Social Care), Julian Eaton (0000-0003-2697-4965, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue15
Pages9313-9313
Publication date2022-07-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19159313
PMID35954669
OpenAlexW4289134989
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited3

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

Business · Computer-assisted web interviewing · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Environmental health · Mental health · Pandemic · Political science · Preparedness · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Psychosocial support · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Migration, Health and Trauma · Nursing