Average government spending on mental health in the WHO African Region stands at only US$0.07 per person, compared with US$2.69 globally, highlighting a major financing gap that continues to limit access to mental healthcare across the continent.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, disclosed this in his message marking the 2026 World Mental Health Day, observed under the theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.”
Janabi said mental healthcare remained fragmented in many African countries and was often concentrated in major urban centres, leaving many communities without adequate support close to home.
He said addressing the gaps would require stronger national leadership and increased, sustained investment in mental health services across the region.
According to him, close to 150 million people in Africa live with mental health, neurological or substance use conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders and alcohol and other substance use disorders.
He said many affected people were unable to obtain the care and support they needed, while stigma and discrimination continued to create additional barriers to seeking help.
Janabi called for people living with mental health conditions to play a stronger role in shaping the policies and services designed to address their needs.
He said their lived experiences could help identify shortcomings in existing services, determine effective forms of assistance and ensure that mental healthcare respects people’s dignity and rights.
“For too long, individuals have been invited to share their personal stories but excluded from the decisions that follow,” he said, stressing that listening must lead to meaningful participation.
Janabi urged governments to involve people with lived experience in developing policies, designing services and strengthening peer-led initiatives, alongside clinical and public health experts.
He said WHO had supported this approach through its Regional Mental Health Webinar Series and Mental Health Intercountry Learning Meetings in South Africa and Togo, where people with lived experience served as key facilitators.
The WHO Regional Director also cited the recently published Mental Health in Africa Investment Case, which calls for stronger community-based services, protection of human rights and sustained involvement of people who use mental health services.
He noted that only seven of the 47 countries in the WHO African Region were implementing comprehensive mental health integration into primary healthcare.
Janabi urged Member States to establish formal and sustained mechanisms for the participation of people with lived experience, while calling on health professionals, civil society organisations and partners to support their leadership.
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He said WHO remained committed to working with governments and communities to expand accessible, rights-based mental healthcare across Africa.
“Real voices can drive real change. Together, we can build mental health systems with those who use them, and ensure they respond optimally to the lives people lead,” he said.
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