The Africa CDC launched a new Mental Health Leadership Program (AMHLP) to address the African population’s mental health challenges. Funded by Wellcome, the program forms part of the Africa CDC’s continental strategic priorities on NCDs, Injuries, and Mental health, which lays out a clear pathway for coordinated actions and support for Member States on public mental health.
It also responds to Africa’s New Public Health Order (NPHO) goals, recognizing workforce development as a critical priority.
The AMHLP will be based on a specialized curriculum and shaped by insights from people with lived experience, targeting workforce development interventions delivered through various pathways, namely:
- Embedding the program into the existing Africa CDC—Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Program and the Field Epidemiology Training Program.
- Delivering the program through short courses and,
- Strengthening Networks of civil society organizations (CSOs) and equipping them with knowledge and skills to build, strengthen their capacity and influence mental health policies and practices.
His Excellency Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa CDC, highlighted the significance of this program, noting its urgency for the continent. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to improving mental health across Africa and supporting our member states’ efforts. Our partnership with Wellcome is, therefore, laudable. Considering that mental health is a neglected health concern globally, we are proud of this progress as we work toward its integration into the broader health systems”.
The program will mobilize decision-makers to support countries in reforming services and advising on public health measures to promote and protect mental health and well-being. This aligns with the African CDC’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan priority to strengthen integrated health systems to prevent and control high-burden diseases in the Member States.
“With this important initiative, the Africa CDC is leading the way in positioning mental health high on the policy agenda across Africa. By creating a cohort of leaders who understand and can advocate for context-specific, evidence-based approaches to mental health, this program will enable better solutions to address the pressing needs of so many,” said Professor Miranda Wolpert, Director of Mental Health at Welcome.
Although the continent has several factors that promote mental health and well-being, such as close-knit and supportive families, cultural traditions that bring communities together, and healthy traditional diets and lifestyles, numerous challenges threaten health and well-being. These challenges include living in poverty, living in an area with protracted conflict, or lacking access to adequate health, education, and social services.
Henceforth, with this program, Africa CDC aims to create a pool of mental health professional leaders capable of supporting reforms in mental health systems in the Member States, advocating for increased prioritization and investment in mental health, and further building a strong network of professionals across the continent.
The Africa CDC is working with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), CBM Global Disability Inclusion, and other vital institutions on the continent to develop the curriculum’s domains and ensure successful implementation of the program.
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For more information:
Dr. Abdulaziz Mohammed, Head of Division, Disease Control and Prevention |Africa CDC| [email protected]
Media inquiries:
Communication and Public Information Directorate| Africa CDC | Email: [email protected]
About the Africa CDC Mental Health Leadership Program
The Africa CDC Mental Health Leadership Program (AMHLP) directly supports this system-strengthening approach to promoting mental health by strengthening the public health workforce and contributing to a critical mass for advocacy within Member State health systems for more robust prioritization and investment.
About Africa CDC
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is the continental autonomous Health agency of the African Union that strengthens the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions as well as partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks, based on data-driven interventions and programs. Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org
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