As the world mark this year’s Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments to include those directly affected by mental health conditions to be given a stronger role in shaping the policies and services that affect their lives.
This was contained in a Message from WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi commemorating the 2026 World Mental Health Day.
TheFact Daily gathered that World Mental Health Day is commemorated on the 10th of October to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
Dr. Mohamed stated that, “Mental health shapes every part of our lives, from how we learn and work, to how we connect with others and contribute to our communities. Across Africa, close to 150 million people live with mental health, neurological or substance use conditions”.
He said they include depression, anxiety disorders, and alcohol and other substance use disorders, all of which affect individuals, families and communities throughout the Region. He added that many people cannot obtain the care and support they need, while stigma and discrimination create further barriers to seeking help.
“Today, on World Mental Health Day 2026, under the theme “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change”, I call for those directly affected by mental health conditions to be given a stronger role in shaping the policies and services that affect their lives.
“Their experience can show us where services fall short, what forms of assistance make a difference, and how care can fully respect people’s dignity and rights. Listening to these voices is essential if we are to build mental health systems that are responsive, inclusive and effective.
“For too long, individuals have been invited to share their personal stories but excluded from the decisions that follow. Listening must lead to participation. People with lived experience should help develop policies, design services and strengthen peer-led initiatives. Their insights, alongside clinical and public health expertise, can make mental health care more responsive and accountable”, he said.
The WHO Regional Director disclosed that this year, people with lived experience served as key facilitators in the Regional Mental Health Webinar Series and Mental Health Intercountry Learning Meetings in South Africa and Togo.
“These initiatives were planned and delivered in collaboration with the Pan African Network of People with Psychosocial Disabilities, Aves Mental Health and United for Global Mental Health, ensuring that their perspectives helped shape the discussions”, he said.
He however, lamented that only seven of the 47 countries in the WHO African Region were implementing comprehensive mental health integration into primary care.
“Average government expenditure on mental health is just US$0.07 per person, compared with US$2.69 globally. Care is also often fragmented or concentrated in major urban centres, leaving many communities without support close to home. Addressing these challenges will require stronger national leadership and increased, sustained financing.
“On this World Mental Health Day, I urge Member States to establish formal and sustained mechanisms for lived experience participation. I also call on health professionals, civil society organizations and partners to support the leadership of people with lived experience, and help bring compassionate care closer to communities.
“As WHO, we are committed to working alongside Member States and communities to expand accessible and rights-based care throughout the Region. 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.
