Current situation of mental health services in Tanzania; call for support and collaborative research

Like many other countries, Tanzania is also affected by mental health conditions. Recent reports have described the need for interventions due to a rapid increase in severe mental illness cases such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, suicide rates, and high rates of gender-based violence, especially sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, and substance abuse. In 2015, Tanzania ranked 3rd in eastern and southern Africa for high alcohol and cannabis abuse.



While the nation has made progress in mental health services, with psychiatry units available in all regions and methadone-assisted opioid dependence treatment offered in various health settings, a shortage of mental health professionals impedes service delivery. In 2020, there were 38 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, highlighting the need for increased mental health workforce capacity.  

 

Lack of mental health services within the national health information system poses challenges in assessing the true scope of mental health issues and service effectiveness. The stigma surrounding mental health disorders further hinders high-quality and equitable care in communities and healthcare settings.  

 

Considering the current situation of mental health services, there is an urgent need to address the key areas to achieve improvement in the provision of mental health services in Tanzania. Including the following: -  

1. Conducting a country-wide mental health situational analysis to learn the true magnitude of mental health conditions. 

2. Integrating mental health services into primary care settings by training non-mental health professionals, especially on user-friendly screening tools and brief interventions for patients with mild mental health conditions. 

3. Scaling up the UPSIDES intervention model. Increasing peer-to-peer support services will narrow the gap of limited personnel. 

4. Strengthen the capacity of health workers to provide mental health services to increase the number of mental health professionals in the country. In conclusion, the government of Tanzania calls for increased collaboration for mutual learning with local and international partners to improve mental health services.