By Saminu Ibrahim
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on African countries to give people with lived experience of mental health conditions a stronger role in shaping policies and services designed to support them.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, made the call in his message to mark the 2026 World Mental Health Day, themed, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.”
Janabi said mental health affects every aspect of life, including learning, work, relationships and participation in communities, noting that nearly 150 million people across Africa live with mental health, neurological or substance use conditions.
He identified depression, anxiety disorders, and alcohol and other substance use disorders among the conditions affecting individuals, families and communities across the region.
According to him, millions of affected people still lack access to the care and support they need, while stigma and discrimination continue to discourage many from seeking help.
The WHO regional chief said people with lived experience should not merely be invited to share their personal stories but should participate directly in decisions concerning mental health policies and services.
“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,” he said.
Janabi said people with lived experience should be involved in developing policies, designing services and strengthening peer-led initiatives, adding that their perspectives, combined with clinical and public health expertise, could make mental health care more responsive and accountable.
He said WHO had begun creating opportunities for such participation in the African Region, noting that people with lived experience served as key facilitators during the organisation’s Regional Mental Health Webinar Series and Mental Health Intercountry Learning Meetings held in South Africa and Togo.
He added that the initiatives were organised in collaboration with the Pan African Network of People with Psychosocial Disabilities, Aves Mental Health and United for Global Mental Health.
Janabi also highlighted the recently published Mental Health in Africa Investment Case, which he said advocated stronger community-based services, protection of human rights and sustained involvement of people who use mental health services.
He said the investment case placed the integration of mental health into primary healthcare at the centre of efforts to achieve universal health coverage across the continent.
However, the WHO official expressed concern over persistent gaps in mental healthcare delivery, saying only seven of the 47 countries in the African Region were implementing comprehensive mental health integration into primary healthcare.
He said average government spending on mental health in the region stood at only $0.07 per person, compared with $2.69 globally.
Janabi further noted that mental healthcare remained fragmented in many countries or concentrated in major urban centres, leaving communities in need without adequate support close to home.
He called for stronger national leadership and increased, sustained financing to address the challenges.
“On this World Mental Health Day, I urge Member States to establish formal and sustained mechanisms for lived experience participation,” Janabi said.
He also urged health professionals, civil society organisations and development partners to support the leadership of people with lived experience and help bring compassionate mental healthcare 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,” he said.
Janabi stressed that the voices of people with lived experience must be central to efforts to reform mental health systems across Africa.
“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.
