mentalhealthafrica.org was born out of the COVID-19 lockdowns around the world in 2020. A married couple, one a psychologist and the other a creative director, were having a conversation about the impact of the pandemic on mental health.
They discussed the need for access and the state of that access in their country, Ghana, and the rest of Africa. The psychologist thought it would be great to be able to conduct a web search to find psychologists in one’s city/country easily. The creative director, who happens to be a web developer as well, responded by saying, “Why don’t we create a site for that?” It is because of this discussion, and their passion about mental health that you’re reading this right now.
This site was launched with a few young women volunteers and continues to run on the goodwill of people like you around Africa. Many individuals and organizations have contributed to this initiative to provide a directory for Africans looking for mental health practitioners and institutions in Africa. We hope you decide to support us in any capacity you can. This ranges from donating to help us keep the page running, all the way to sharing this website with others.
Aside from being a directory, we have resources you can read that will help you improve your mental health and wellbeing. We’re glad you’re here, because of our core principle – Ubuntu (I am because we are). As such, we (Africans) are well, if you are well.
Chronic non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as infectious diseases like HIV and tuberculosis, have high levels of co-morbidity with mental illness. This co-morbidity doesn’t only influence disability but also has direct consequences for mortality.
– theconversation.com
Africa’s wealth lies in the minds and hearts of Africans. This is why we should take mental health very seriously. The sounder our minds are, the better we can manage ourselves, and the resources we have. This is how we secure Africa’s future for ourselves and generations to come.
– Akor