Yaoundé, Cameroon — Mental health care in Cameroon is undergoing a critical transition as the country moves to integrate psychological support into primary health services, responding to rising distress caused by conflict, poverty, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 across Central Africa.
Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), Cameroon has begun implementing elements of its National Mental Health Strategy, aiming to embed mental health screening and care within routine health services. This approach is particularly significant for people living with chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, who studies show face disproportionately high levels of anxiety and depression.
Years of instability have left deep psychological scars. The Anglophone crisis in the North-West and South-West regions, alongside Boko Haram–related violence in the Far North, has displaced thousands and exposed communities to sustained trauma. Humanitarian organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Action Against Hunger, have expanded psychosocial support programs in conflict-affected areas, where mental health needs continue to outpace available services.
Recent research indicates a sharp increase in demand for mental health care, with reports suggesting up to a 100 percent rise in the number of Cameroonians seeking psychological support. Yet, the country’s mental health system remains constrained by workforce shortages, underfunded facilities, stigma, and limited access to essential medication, particularly outside major urban centers.
Youth mental health has emerged as a growing concern. Studies published by health researchers and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) point to increasing cases of depression and anxiety among young people, driven by unemployment, substance abuse, conflict exposure, and heavy use of social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok. Experts warn that without targeted interventions, these pressures could escalate into long-term public health challenges.
Community-based and digital approaches are increasingly filling gaps. Institutions like the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) are adapting mental health interventions for local settings, while NGOs are using digital tools for data collection, case tracking, and community outreach to improve access and coordination.
Advocacy efforts are also gaining momentum. In late 2024, mental health forums, such as the RASAM-REN Network meeting in Maroua, brought together civil society actors, health professionals, and policymakers to advocate for stronger mental health inclusion in national health planning.
Despite these advances, experts emphasize that sustainable progress will necessitate increased government funding, stricter policy enforcement, and ongoing public education to combat stigma. As Cameroon confronts overlapping humanitarian and social crises, integrating mental health into everyday care is increasingly seen not as optional, but as essential to national recovery and resilience.
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