Central Africa – Central African Republic — In villages across Central African Republic, mental illness is often misunderstood — sometimes attributed to spiritual causes or personal weakness rather than medical conditions.
Years of political instability and armed conflict have increased cases of depression and trauma-related disorders. Yet with only a handful of trained specialists nationwide, access to formal care remains extremely limited.
Many families turn to traditional healers before considering medical support. Health workers say stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles to progress. Public education campaigns are slowly emerging, but advocates insist that without national investment and awareness, mental health will continue to be Central Africa’s silent epidemic.
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