Somalia: Mental Health Problems Due to the Humanitarian Crisis
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October 27, 2024 Hour: 4:58 pm
Mental health problems in Somalia are closely linked to the nation’s socio-economic and political issues. Existing social problems and the discrimination faced by vulnerable groups, especially women and children, lay the foundation for mental health problems. The most common problems we see in Somalia include psychosomatic complaints, depression, stress, psychosis and substance abuse.
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However, the stress of conflict also leads to new conditions or illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorders, types of anxiety and acute stress reactions. For some people, the humanitarian response can lead to hopelessness, especially when basic needs such as food, water and access to health services are uncertain.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the prevalence of mental disorders among conflict-affected populations at 13 percent, with reports of mild forms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, while 4% still experience moderate forms of these disorders. Overall, women, older people, children and people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by mental health problems.
In Somalia, MSF works in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, offering essential mental health care in Baidoa and Mudug. Teams provide psychosocial support, counselling and specialised psychological care in healthcare facilities. However, the needs are many and such services are not sufficient.
The mental health needs of communities are enormous, but the scale remains invisible. Lack of funding for mental health services, lack of trained health workers, supplies, limited scientific data and research and a fractured health system have worsened the problem.
There is an urgent need for an effective mental health response and it is clear that addressing mental health in Somalia requires an immediate and coordinated response. Clinical mental health care must include basic needs such as food, safe spaces, shelter, including basic mental health support such as psychological first aid, community awareness etc.
By creating or re-establishing community groups, Somalis can collectively solve problems and offer psychological support to those suffering. This social cohesion not only restores a sense of normality, but also provides emotional relief to those affected by the crisis.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: Africanews