Oluwatobi Adu 
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – African countries have renewed calls for greater investment in mental health services as nearly 150 million people across the continent continue to live with mental, neurological and substance-use disorders amid chronic underfunding and weak healthcare systems.
The concerns were on Friday raised during the first Mental Health Intercountry Meeting for East and Southern African countries held in Johannesburg, where policymakers, health experts, civil society groups and development partners from more than 20 countries gathered to discuss strategies for improving mental healthcare.
According to WHO, only seven African countries have established comprehensive mental health services at the primary healthcare level, while just 16 countries maintain dedicated mental health budget lines. Average government spending on mental health remains below $0.07 per person.
“African countries continue to face an immense burden from mental health conditions,” said Dr Benido Impouma, Director of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control at the WHO African Region.
“We must invest in mental health with sustained resources. With the support of partners, WHO is committed to advancing the regional mental health strategy and ensuring that people living with mental health conditions receive the care and dignity they deserve.”
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Hussaini Ibrahim 
Otamere Gladness 