Gov’t launches strategic plan to tackle high burden of mental illness

By Denis Ejulu

South Sudan’s government, in partnership with humanitarian agencies on Friday launched the first ever national mental health and psychosocial support strategic plan to tackle the high burden of mental disorders attributed to years of conflict and displacement.

The minister of health Sarah Cleto Rial, said that the 2025-2029 strategic plan aims to integrate mental health into the country’s primary health care system, train psychologists, counselors and community health workers on mental health and also expand mental health units and referral systems.

She noted that the plan also includes the strengthening of public awareness on mental health in a bid to fight stigma.

“The strategic plan offers a vision that all persons regardless of location, background or status have access to timely quality inclusive mental health and psychosocial support services,” Cleto said during the launching ceremony in Juba.

Cleto stressed that the high mental disease burden stems from decades of conflict, displacements, economic hardship, inter-communal violence, floods, disease outbreaks and trauma.

“All of us here were born during conflict and we grew up during conflict, and I am sure it is not only a small level of trauma but we are all traumatized. So I am sure the percentage of those who are traumatized is great,” she said.

She emphasized that neglecting mental disorders undermines productivity, social cohesion and peace.

Mutale Nsakashalo Senkwe, World Health Organization (WHO) deputy representative in South Sudan stressed that mental health services are limited to very few locations in the country, adding that this strategic plan signals that the government’s commitment is at play.

Senkwe emphasized their commitment to supporting the full implementation of the plan including the integration of mental health into primary health care through nationwide capacity building, strengthening mental health data and surveillance activities.

In addition, she said that they will also support the establishment of mental health services in correctional facilities with appropriate training and essential medicines.

“So today’s launch is not the end it is actually the beginning of a very important chapter, a chapter where mental health is recognized, prioritized and invested in, where no one is left behind,” Senkwe said.

Atong Ayuel, director general for mental health in the ministry of health said that provision of quality mental health services has over the years been hampered by limited funding and trained human resources.

She disclosed that the youngest nation currently has only four trained practicing psychiatrists, adding that this is compounded by limited health infrastructure.

 “We have a gap in service delivery as we have only a 12-bed ward in Juba Teaching Hospital plus scattered small clinics within the States. We have gaps in drugs and supplies where psychotropic medications are unavailable in most of the facilities,” Ayuel said.

She noted that the vision of the strategic plan is to ensure holistic and comprehensive provision of mental health services with dignity to avoid mental health disorders and to reduce disease burden.