Scarce and imperiled mental health facilities dot South Sudan's turbulent landscape
South Sudan, already grappling with numerous challenges, faces a growing mental health crisis. According to Jacopo Rovarini, an official with Amref Health Africa, mental health issues are a significant obstacle to the nation's development.
The mental health clinic in Mundri, a vital lifeline for many, may collapse due to the ending of foreign aid. Funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the Athens-based Stavros Niarchos Foundation, this project aims to provide mental health services to over 20,000 people across South Sudan. However, with the funding set to expire, the future of the clinic remains uncertain.
The ending of the foreign aid program by the United States is reflected in the dwindling funds for mental health projects in South Sudan. This situation is particularly concerning given the high suicide rate in the country, which ranks thirteenth globally and is one of the highest in Africa. Last month, authorities in Juba reported 12 cases of suicide in a week in South Sudan's capital.
The mental health burden in South Sudan is driven by displacement, poverty, armed conflict, gender-based violence, idleness, and trauma. Dr. Longar, one of the country's rare psychiatrists, believes that the community needs tools to heal and help themselves, breaking the cycle of trauma.
In Mundri, many patients at mental health facilities have recently lost relatives due to South Sudan's conflict and fear a resumption of fighting. Joy Falatiya, a 35-year-old South Sudanese mother, was kicked out of her home in March 2024 and became homeless and penniless, with suicidal thoughts. However, she found solace at the Mundri clinic, receiving counseling since April 2024. Falatiya expressed hope that the mental health clinic will still be available if her "bad thoughts" return.
Community-based programs, such as those organised by Caritas in Mundri, are a potential solution. Caritas organises sessions of Self Help Plus, a stress management course launched by WHO in 2021. Paul Monday, a local youth leader, mentioned that mental illness is common in Mundri due to losses during the war and subsequent displacement.
Addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness is also crucial. In some communities, people with mental health issues are abandoned or derogatorily labeled, limiting care-seeking and social inclusion. Increased community education and psychosocial support could improve care access and social inclusion.
The current challenges in providing mental health services in South Sudan include severe scarcity of mental health facilities, a critical shortage of trained professionals, ongoing armed conflict, displacement, poverty, and stigma around mental illness. However, solutions are being sought. International funding-supported clinics, community-based programs, increased government commitment, and holistic approaches linking socio-economic development with mental health are all part of the strategy to alleviate this crisis.
