Banjul, 17th April 2025: Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It has intrinsic and instrumental value and is integral to our well-being.
At any one time, a diverse set of individual, family, community and structural factors may combine to protect or undermine mental health. Although most people are resilient, people who are exposed to adverse circumstances including poverty, violence, disability and inequality – are at higher risk of developing a mental health condition.
Many mental health conditions can be effectively treated at relatively low cost, yet health systems remain significantly under-resourced and treatment gaps are wide all over the world. Mental health care is often poor in quality when delivered. People with mental health conditions often also experience stigma, discrimination and human rights violations.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Good mental health positively affects our lives and enables us to meet life’s responsibilities and find happiness and meaning. Poor mental health can have negative impacts on our physical health, how we feel about ourselves, and how we interact with the world and those around us.
An open mental health policy is an essential and powerful tool for the mental health unit in any ministry of health. When properly formulated and implemented through plans and programmes, a policy can have a significant impact on the mental health of the population concerned.
In light of the above highlighted case The Gambia Government, through the Ministry of Health and partners is planning on launching the country’s Mental Health Investment Case.
This was revealed by the Director of Planning and Information at the Ministry of Health, Gibril Jarjue, during the validation of the newly drafted Mental Health. “Central to this process has been the mental health investment case which will be launched soon. This investment case provides a strong foundation for policy decision by outlining the economy and social benefits of investing in mental health services,” Jarjue affirmed.
This case, he added, highlights the long-term value of strengthening mental health infrastructure, increasing services accessible and promoting the overall wellbeing of people and communities.
Also speaking at the validation session, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in The Gambia, Armand Gnahore, on behalf of UNICEF commended the Ministry for their unwavering commitment to improving mental health care in the country.
Gnahore observed that children and adolescent are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges, adding that they are faced with unique pressure that could impact their mental wellbeing.
The Permanent Secretary at MoH, Dr Yusupha Touray also spoke of government’s resolve to support mental health issues in the country as demonstrated in the development of the new Mental Health Bill to replace the obsolete Lunatic Detention Act, a 1917 colonial document.
This, he added, also include integration and highlighting mental health into the recovery focused National Development Plan and the Health Sector Strategy Plan, as well as the establishment of Mental Health Units in major health facilities to bridge existing gaps, among a host of others.
“Mental health services should be integrated into usual health care services at all levels (primary, secondary and tertiary). Stand-alone mental health services should not be encouraged. All health care professionals should be trained to provide mental health care appropriate to their role in the health care system,” he posited.
By Awa Sowe
