Also in 2015, 17·9 million years were lost to disability as a consequence of mental health problems. These figures show the serious nature of mental health in the country and the need for governments to stand in tackling its burden.
With all these challenges, stigma continues to pose a challenge in managing its issue especially those affected. The way communities treat those affected in some cases even exacerbates their condition even with conditions which could have been managed.
Recently, The Point published an article in which the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with the support from its development partners recently ended national stakeholder dialogue on mental health rights in The Gambia. In essence, this stakeholder dialogue is a platform to create awareness about the issues surrounding mental health in the country.
Research has shown that mental health is a neglected domain in the continent’s development agenda. This is because our governments allocate a minimum amount towards its activities as compared to other sectors.
In view of these challenges and limited resources, communities mostly find themselves in an awkward position to address some of these emerging issues on time.
For instance, absence of treatment is the norm rather than the exception across the continent. Studies show that the “treatment gap” – the proportion of people with mental illness who don’t get treatment – ranges from 75% in South Africa to more than 90% in Ethiopia and Nigeria.
As rightly stated by the chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), mental health is a subject that touches everyone due to the stigma and misconception many attached to those living with mental health in The Gambia.
The harrowing figure of those affected by mental illness is alarming, which calls for the need to address it. Also, communities should do away with stigmatizing those affected by the sickness.
In addition, there is also the need for a review of the laws and policies and greater collaboration to help address such issues in the country.
Government should allocate more budget to the Ministry of Health in its fight against mental illness in the country.
Let’s also remember that caring for those affected by mental illness is not an easy undertaking. It takes patients, perseverance and dedication. People should also care for those in need or alert authorities when they come across any suspect before it gets out of hand.
Tanka Tanka, the only government psychiatric hospital in The Gambia needs to be supported to meet its growing demand.
As the only government psychiatric hospital in the country, a good number of mental cases find their way to this hospital for management and other needs.
Little did people know that this hospital itself is also grappling with its own challenges which include budget constraints.
On a visit to this site in Salaji, one would realise that more support is needed to better the living conditions of patients. Through greater collaboration and joined efforts, we can better the condition of those affected by mental illness in The Gambia.