THE AFRICA TIMES | SOUTH SUDAN —
Mental Health Efforts in South Sudan
JUBA – South Sudan must sustain efforts to combat its mental health crisis. This is despite government and partner initiatives aimed at expanding services. Patrick Arama, Mental Health Manager for the IRC, emphasized this need.
Arama spoke during a mental health panel in Juba. He stated that the country is still far from meeting the needs of affected populations. However, he noted increased commitment to mental health services.
Panel Discussion Highlights
The event was co-funded by the EU and German cooperation. Discussions focused on mental health as vital for a stable society. The panel provided a platform to assess the current state of mental healthcare.
Progress and Challenges
Kockedhia Mabior, founder of Lucy Future, acknowledged the situation remained low. However, Mabior stated it was not stagnant. She highlighted the launch of a national mental health strategy as a key achievement.
National Strategy as a Milestone
Akoc Aduk, Director of Rival Wellness Centre, also commented. He said the 2025–2029 strategy will guide interventions. It will also pave the way for a Mental Health Act.
Aduk highlighted ongoing efforts among decision-makers. However, he cautioned that critical gaps continue to exist. These gaps pose significant challenges to progress.
Critical Gaps and Future Needs
South Sudan currently only has four psychiatrists and 24 psychologists. They serve the entire population. Aduk stated that the government has not allocated a specific mental health budget.
Aduk emphasized the need to address the human resource shortage. Securing adequate funding is also crucial. These steps will transform the mental health strategy into tangible progress.
