The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that more than 116 million people were living with mental health conditions in Africa before the COVID-19 pandemic.

It stated the world may have witnessed an estimated 25 per cent global rise in depression and anxiety after nearly three years, due to social isolation, fear of disease and death, and strained socio-economic circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a message by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, on the World Mental Health Day, which was marked on Monday said the day provided an opportunity to draw attention to Africa’s large and growing burden of mental health conditions, with children and adolescents worst impacted.

According to Moeti, inadequate financing for mental health has continued to be the biggest limitation, negatively impacting efforts to expand Africa’s mental health workforce.