St. George’s Varsity Advocates Improved Mental Health Support Across Africa

As Mental Health Awareness Month is observed globally, St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine has advocated improved mental health support systems across Africa amid growing concerns over the rising number of people living with mental health conditions on the continent.

Recall that the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that nearly 150 million people in Africa were living with mental health conditions in 2025, highlighting the increasing burden of psychological disorders across the region.

Despite the growing need for intervention, access to mental health care remains limited due to a shortage of professionals. A 2025 regional analysis by UNICEF showed that Africa has approximately 1.4 mental health workers per 100,000 people, far below the global average of about nine workers per 100,000 population.

Mental health experts have warned that the workforce shortage continues to hinder early diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care, particularly among young people, with suicide remaining one of the leading causes of death globally for individuals aged 15 to 29.

Against this backdrop, SGU said it is strengthening efforts to prepare future medical professionals to address mental health challenges through psychiatry education and patient-centered care training.

The university explained that its psychiatry programme encourages students to approach patients with empathy, dignity, and understanding while confronting stigma often associated with mental health conditions.

“Psychiatry reminds us that medicine is not only about treating disease, but about understanding people,” said the Associate Chair of Psychiatry, Dr. Elizabeth Ryznar.

“The most important humanistic lesson I impart to my students is that we are all humans, all worthy of the same dignity. Unfortunately, we still encounter stigma against psychiatric patients within the healthcare system and our broader society, and we need to remember that every person is doing the best they can,” she added.

Dr. Ryznar noted that empathy and communication skills gained during psychiatric rotations remain valuable across all areas of medicine.

The institution also outlined several areas African students interested in psychiatry could specialize in, including psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, interventional psychiatry, and care across inpatient, outpatient, residential, and emergency settings.

In addition to academic training, SGU said it prioritises student well-being by encouraging balanced schedules, mentorship support systems, stress-relieving activities, and early support-seeking when necessary.

St. George’s University added that its Doctor of Medicine programmes were designed to produce graduates equipped with clinical competence and patient-centered care skills required to respond to evolving mental health challenges globally.