As the world marks World Mental Health Day on October 10, mental health experts are calling for greater investment in care, stronger community-based services and urgent action to dismantle the stigma that prevents people from seeking help.
The 2026 observance, themed “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” places the experiences of people living with mental health conditions at the centre of conversations about treatment, support and policy reform.
Anxiety and depression remain among the most common mental health conditions, affecting how people work, learn, maintain relationships and participate in their communities. Beyond their personal toll, these conditions can also impose substantial economic costs on families, employers and healthcare systems.
World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of these challenges and encourage individuals, communities and governments to prioritise mental well-being.
Mental health refers to a state of well-being that enables people to cope with everyday stresses, recognise their abilities, learn effectively and work productively. It encompasses emotional, psychological and social well-being, influencing how people think, feel, behave and relate to others.
It is not simply the absence of mental illness. Mental health exists along a changing spectrum, and a person’s condition can improve or deteriorate depending on several factors, including life experiences, social support, access to care and other circumstances.
Psychologist Noam Shpancer captures this evolving nature of mental well-being in his observation that “Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.”
The understanding that mental health can change over time reinforces the need to treat people experiencing psychological distress with compassion rather than judgement. Mental health conditions are not personal failures, and people living with them should not be subjected to discrimination or social exclusion.
The World Health Organisation’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, said mental health affects every aspect of human life, from education and employment to relationships and community participation.
According to Janabi, nearly 150 million people across Africa live with mental, neurological or substance-use conditions.
These include depression, anxiety disorders and alcohol- or other substance-use disorders, which can affect individuals, families and communities.
He warned that many people across the region remain unable to access the treatment and support they need, while stigma and discrimination discourage others from seeking assistance.
The challenges extend beyond the availability of treatment. Shortages of trained professionals, inadequate funding, limited public awareness and gaps in community-based services can make it difficult for people to obtain timely and appropriate care.
The scale of the problem has increased calls for mental health to be treated as an essential component of public healthcare rather than a secondary concern.
In Nigeria, inadequate manpower and the migration of healthcare professionals abroad are among the challenges limiting access to mental healthcare.
Consultant psychiatrist and Head of BMU, Dr Chibuzo Anoji, identified the shortage of mental health professionals as a major obstacle to delivering adequate services.
Anoji said the situation had made it necessary to strengthen community-based mental healthcare and equip primary healthcare workers with the skills to identify and manage mental health conditions.
Such an approach could help people receive support closer to where they live, reducing the burden on specialist facilities and improving the chances of early intervention.
She also pointed to the importance of implementing Nigeria’s Mental Health Act, which provides a framework for protecting the rights of people with mental health conditions and improving access to appropriate care.
Effective implementation could support the expansion of services beyond major hospitals, promote better treatment standards and help protect people from discrimination and abuse.
This year’s World Mental Health Day theme calls attention to the importance of listening to people who have experienced mental health conditions and involving them in decisions that affect their lives.
Their experiences can help healthcare providers understand the barriers patients face, while enabling policymakers to develop services that respond more effectively to people’s needs.
Open conversations can also challenge misconceptions about mental illness, encourage people to seek help early and make it easier for families and communities to offer meaningful support.
Mental health awareness, however, must go beyond annual commemorations. It requires sustained investment in trained personnel, accessible treatment, public education and support systems that respect the dignity of every individual.
As countries across Africa confront growing demands for mental healthcare, experts say reducing stigma and expanding access to services are essential steps towards ensuring that people experiencing psychological distress are not left to struggle alone.
