By Fatou Sillah
The Ministry of Health, through its National Mental Health Program and in collaboration with UNICEF, convened a two-day validation workshop on Monday to review and refine the draft Gambia Mental Health Policy 2024.
The event, held at a local hotel in Senegambia, brought together key stakeholders from across the health sector and partner institutions to finalize a forward-looking framework for mental healthcare in The Gambia.
The country’s last mental health policy, developed in 2007, has since become outdated. The revised policy aims to address the evolving mental health landscape by incorporating current challenges, adopting evidence-based approaches, and reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing equitable and accessible mental health services nationwide.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Mr. Yusupha Touray, underscored the significance of the validation process.
“With great honour that we gather to validate the Gambia’s mental health policy draft for 2025. This moment represents our collective commitment to build a nation where mental health is prioritised, stigma is eradicated and compassionate care is made accessible to all. As a ministry and as government, we extend our deepest gratitude to UNICEF for this invaluable technical and financial support you have extended to the country and to the Gambian people as a whole, which has been instrumental in bringing this critical policy to fruition today,” he said.
Mam Jarra Marega, Program Manager of the National Mental Health Program, emphasized the need to confront stigma and strengthen community-based mental health services.
“17 years since our 2007 policy, we stand at a critical juncture armed with lessons learned and determined to do better, The 2007 policy laid an important groundwork but implementation showed there are critical gaps, Let me highlight some of these gaps, community mental health services, were materialized, Mental health services are largely centralised, leaving regions such as North Bank, East and West and CRR underserved,” she explained.
The UNICEF Country Representative reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting mental health initiatives, particularly for vulnerable populations, noting that mental well-being is fundamental to the development and protection of children and youth.
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Amadou Camara, Chairman of the National Assembly Select Committee on Health, and the Deputy Director of Health Services lauded the policy review as a major step forward in strengthening mental health governance. They highlighted the need to close treatment gaps, improve service delivery, and adopt a rights-based approach to mental health across the country.